Recommend Me a Perfume (and a Contest)

Happy Holidays! I’m going to take a Christmas break and will return on Thursday.  Meanwhile, our bi-weekly “Recommend Me a Perfume” is here today.  You can also use this space to ask any fragrance related questions.

How does it work: Please post your requests or questions as comments here. To receive recommendations that are better tailored to your tastes, you can include details on what you like and don’t like, your signature perfumes, and your budget. Then please check the thread to see if there are other requests you can answer.

To make this thread easier to read, when you reply to someone, please click on the blue“reply” link under their comment.

Contest: everyone who answers a fragrance recommendation request will be entered into the draw for 2 sets of three samples of your choice (should be available at Luckyscent). The winners are Leah and Jillie.

The recommendations you give help us navigate the fragrance counter easier, so thank you to everyone who participates.

Photography by Bois de Jasmin

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489 Comments

  • Wendyr: I love white florals, my favorite is AG Songes/FM Carnal Flower. Through this website it was suggested I try a couterpoint to those with an undercurrent of warmth. I purchase SL Bois de Violette and it is a wonderful change. Still has the wonderful floral sillage, but with warmed up with a spicey accent. Try the opposite of your favorite, you just might fall in love again! December 21, 2012 at 9:05am Reply

    • Victoria: Wendy, I’m so glad to hear that Bois de Violette was a winner. It’s so much fun to try something different from what you usually wear. December 21, 2012 at 9:52am Reply

      • Pafqua: I’m looking for perfume, which would be significant, but at the same time gentle and tender. I like Sublime Balkisse, L’Eau D’Hiver, La Chasse Aux Papillons, ranch 1795 Hélène, … But for winter I’d like something warmer. Thx 🙂 December 29, 2012 at 7:51am Reply

    • Amer: hmmm, Ok, perhaps you are not really asking but still I do have a suggestion to you. Have you tried the Roberto Cavalli EdP? It is a rich, ambery orange blossom, quite the opposite of niche but still, might be just the twist you are looking for. December 21, 2012 at 6:52pm Reply

      • Wendyr: Thank you for the suggestion – what is not to like about a rich ambery orange blossom! I will get a sample. December 22, 2012 at 1:19pm Reply

    • Raluca: I also like white flowers and am a big fan of Nuit de Tubereuse by L’artisan parfumeur and Tuberese Gardenia by EL in addition to Carnal Flower. I suggest you try Cinnabar by EL and Coco by Chanel. December 21, 2012 at 11:18pm Reply

      • Wendyr: Thank You, EL Cinnabar is too strong in spice for me. Coco is nice, but not a wow. I will get samples of the L’artisan’s, have not tried those. December 22, 2012 at 1:18pm Reply

  • MirianV: This is going to sound odd (at least to me), but can someone recommend me a feminine Oud? December 21, 2012 at 9:19am Reply

    • Zazie: feminine ouds:
      – Montale Rose petals, white oud, black oud.

      If you like the latter but it smells a bit harsh, try By Kilian Rose oud: velevety and amazing.
      But pricey.
      I also recommend Amber oud from the same line: cosy and friendly, though not very oudy… December 21, 2012 at 9:22am Reply

      • Daisy: I would suggest Juliette Has a Gun’s Midnight Oud. It’s a very smooth Oud and just might fit the bill. December 21, 2012 at 12:03pm Reply

    • Nikki: Yes, try Francis Kurkdijan’s Oud. It is warm and sensouos! December 21, 2012 at 9:26am Reply

      • Leah: I second Kurkdijan’s Oud, it is a great introduction to the genre. December 21, 2012 at 9:40am Reply

    • Ferris: You should try NY Oud by Bond No 9. It is a mellow and tame Oud fragrance that is quite delightful. The saffron, plum, and rose marry well with the Oud note and makes it very smooth; which I can’t say for the Montale Oud scents which to my nose come across as harsh , heavy and very synthetic. NY Oud is blended very well, has excellent longevity (16-24 hours plus, so a little goes a long way) and the dry down is equally as wonderful as the start. Give it a try and I’m sure you will love as much as I do. December 21, 2012 at 9:40am Reply

    • may: juliette has a gun- midnight oud December 21, 2012 at 9:43am Reply

    • Merlin: I haven’t smelled as many ouds as most people – and not that many oud rose blends. I do like Jo Malone’s Cologne Intense Velvet Rose and Oud but, I have heard Dior’s Oud Ispahan is even better. Unfortunately I have not tried it! Personally (I’m a girl) I wear M7 (not oud absolue, the older one) and no one seems to think it is masculine on me – still, I admit its not the most feminine scent! December 21, 2012 at 9:59am Reply

    • LCT: Juliette Has A Gun Midnight Oud is gorgeous. Rose and Oud that changes quite dramatically as it develops to an almost Tauer-like sweet woody dry down. Worth a try on your skin. December 21, 2012 at 10:50am Reply

    • Magpie: I have to add another voice for JHaG Midnight Oud. 🙂 It’s a leathery take on saffron/rose/oud with a hint of sweetness that creeps in as the hours wear on. I love wearing it, and surprisingly, I find that it’s a crowd pleaser that gets compliments from all kinds of folks. December 21, 2012 at 10:54am Reply

    • Emily: It’s not a straight-up oud, but I get a substantial agarwood note from 10 Corso Como. It’s mostly a woody-incense fragrance with a touch of rose, but to my nose the agarwood is definitely there. December 21, 2012 at 11:15am Reply

    • Daisy: I just thought of another feminine oud: Rose Oud from Dior’s Collection Privée. Powerful, but elegant. December 21, 2012 at 12:08pm Reply

      • Daisy: Oops. Haven’t had my coffee yet. Oud Ispahan from Dior’s Collection Privée. It is a rose oud 🙂 December 21, 2012 at 12:09pm Reply

    • Anat13: By Kilian Amber Oud is gorgeous! December 21, 2012 at 12:47pm Reply

    • mridula: Would Mona di Orio’s Oud qualify as a feminine oud. Which makes me wonder what makes an oud a feminine oud, which makes me wonder what makes any scent feminine vs masculine. I wore L’occitan’s Vetiver for a year till I got tired of it and I think it was supposed to be masculine.

      Hands down Mona di Orio’s oud is the most complex, most ethereal, most powerful oud. It stays with me like a second self, it is comforting and intriguing. Thinking about the question of whether it is feminine has me concluding that while it is not feminine it also not ‘not-feminine.’

      By Kilian’s Rose Oud is my other favourite oud. It is perfume heaven, rich, intoxicating, lush etc. I don’t think it is th equal of Mona di Orio’s but it is definitely one to own. (alas I don’t own it, but have my plans) December 21, 2012 at 1:10pm Reply

    • Lucas: MirianV, if you get a chance try Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme. It makes both man and woman feel special and sexy December 21, 2012 at 4:02pm Reply

    • Amer: FK Oud gets a vote from me too! December 21, 2012 at 6:46pm Reply

    • Sandy C.: By Kilian has a delicious Amber Oud – to me, it’s very feminine, and gets more so on the dry-down. Check it out! December 21, 2012 at 10:32pm Reply

    • Renee: I love Montale White Aoud. I get comments when I wear it. I also like Montale’s Red Aoud, but not as much as the White. December 22, 2012 at 7:57am Reply

      • Patt: I’m also a big White Oud fan. Swapped away my Black Oud…it was just too much Oud for me! December 22, 2012 at 11:23am Reply

    • hongkongmom: BK Rose Oud…very feminine and its really special with bois de paradise body cream! December 23, 2012 at 3:33am Reply

    • minette: hi. i wholeheartedly agree with the recommendation of francis kurkdijian’s oud. it is the finest, smoothest, and richest oud fragrance i’ve found. just gorgeous. like a finely aged whisky or brandy. wear it, and you will see! December 23, 2012 at 7:26pm Reply

  • Zazie: I need a recommandation: I have an oldish (not really vintage) formulation of N°5 extrait. Very small. Nearly empty.
    I should note that it doesn’t smell anything like the eponymous edt or edp.
    It has a wonderful lush and powdery floral heart. Very polished and elegant, but also extremely sensual and rich.
    As an alternative to number 5, many suggest the great aldehydic florals, Liu, Gold, … and while I like this style very much I think they are not as lush on the florals as n.5 extrait, and absolutely not enough powdery.
    Any wondrous powdery (and optionally aldehydic) floral to recommend? December 21, 2012 at 9:20am Reply

    • Nikki: First by Van Cleef and Arpels in its extrait version is a great floral but not so much powdery. What about Liu by Guerlain? December 21, 2012 at 9:42am Reply

    • Leah: I would suggest Liu or Vega if you want to branch out into Guerlains. Vega reminds me of a gentler No 5. If you love Chanel’s aldehydes, Chanel 22 is the way to go, though it is arguably the most concentrated aldehyde ever (I mean that in a positive way). If you need a lower price point, Estee Lauder’s White Linen. December 21, 2012 at 9:46am Reply

      • Jill S: How about Chanel No. 22? December 24, 2012 at 1:19pm Reply

    • Ferris: How about Broadway Nite by Bond No 9? To me it is a modern version of Chanel No 5. Its a beautiful aldehydic floral, that’s sweet and the dry down is a wonderful lushness ( if that’s a word) of powdery sweet vanilla. Longevity is good too. I broke a sample vial in my bathroom and it smelled fragrant for months! December 21, 2012 at 9:49am Reply

    • Victoria: What about Caleche? Or Le Labo Aldehyde 40? They are really quite lush, especially Caleche parfum. December 21, 2012 at 9:50am Reply

    • Ann-Sofie: Do try Arpège by Lanvin – it is an outstanding aldehydic flower composition with the most alluring drydown. Great sillage. The bottle in true Art Deco – Le Boule Noir – is to die for, truly. I am not a flacon collector, but this one I will save. December 21, 2012 at 10:51am Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: Maybe Le Dix, Balenciaga. In the same style as No5, but less abstract, more flowery and powdery. December 21, 2012 at 11:21am Reply

        • Zazie: Aha, this sounds very promising!
          “More flowery and powdery” tick the right boxes!
          Is le Dix in production or is it discontinued? December 21, 2012 at 11:53am Reply

          • Cornelia Blimber: As far as I know it is still available. I bought a few bottles some years ago; I am not sure. December 21, 2012 at 3:03pm Reply

        • Donna: Le Dix is a wonderful suggestion. Miriam by Tableau de Parfums smells a lot like #5 to me. December 21, 2012 at 2:50pm Reply

    • Austenfan: Not as resolutely chic as the Chanel ( which I happen not to really like) but an aldehydic powdery floral with a very rich drydown is L’Ame Soeur by Divine. The fragrance exists in EDP and extrait. Both are wonderful but my bet is you would like the extrait better. Good luck hunting. December 21, 2012 at 12:23pm Reply

    • Matt: Maybe you could try Samsara if you haven’t?

      It’s very powdery and floral and has a rich sandalwood drydown that is just so beautiful! December 21, 2012 at 12:25pm Reply

    • Rednails: For an abstract aldehydic floral, try some vintage L’Air duTemps; there’s a lot of it around. It’s a classic for a reason. You might also try Lancome Climat — but only from the Les Exclusives series. The other forumlations are wan. If you are into vintage, try to find some Nueva Maja. A beautiful floral with a soft, creamy finish enhanced by oakmoss. December 21, 2012 at 12:58pm Reply

    • monkeytoe: What about No. 22 in extrait–it is lush white flowers and incense with enough aldehydes for anyone. You might also look for a bottle of the discontinued Balenciaga Le Dix, if you like No. 5. the parfum concentration of White Linen is another lush beauty. December 21, 2012 at 1:46pm Reply

      • Jill S: Second No. 22. December 24, 2012 at 1:19pm Reply

    • Ann C.: Have you tried Sonoma Scent Studio’s Nostalgie? It’s a gorgeous aldehydic floral with jasmine and rich base notes. December 21, 2012 at 2:32pm Reply

      • Elisa: I second Nostalgie! December 21, 2012 at 4:28pm Reply

      • Caela: Nostalgie is wonderful. It definitely has the rich and sensual vibe that Zazie describes liking in No 5, and the florals strike me as quite full. However, I personally don’t find it aldehydic in the same way as No 5 (although I haven’t smelled the vintage); Chanel’s aldehydes are bubbly and sparkly and light, while Nostalgie’s add to the general richness with a sort of waxy, fatty, substantive feel. December 21, 2012 at 7:39pm Reply

    • maja: Maybe Chanel 22? December 21, 2012 at 2:50pm Reply

    • Allison: I was thinking maybe Baghari by Robert Piguet or Ferre by Gianfranco Ferre that came out around 2005 (but might be discontinued). And also Calandre by Paco Rabanne. December 21, 2012 at 3:44pm Reply

      • nikki: Ferre is a very good perfume, and you can find it at the discount stores now. December 21, 2012 at 4:48pm Reply

    • Dominic: I would recommend you to try Chamade, the extract is the greatest one but you can also go for EDP. It’s lush and powdery, can’t remember whether it’s aldehydic cause I’m not good at decoding the fragrance without reading what’s in it. But I did fall in love and still love it. I get some nice powdery note in Love Chloe as well as in L’Instant de Guerlain. December 21, 2012 at 6:56pm Reply

      • Gabe: I second Chamade. The blend of galbanum, hyacinth and turkish roses just tickle my nose every time I take a whiff of it. The smell is great and its got fantastic longevity. It’s definitely a must-try. December 23, 2012 at 10:59am Reply

    • Maggie: Divine by Divine. LT describes it as a ‘..lovely, powdery, buttery floral-animalic”. I have the EDP which is gorgeous, but it is also available in extrait, which is an updated version released in (I think) 2010. Available directly from Divine on their website. If you search Katie Puckrick’s blog she did a review of Divine not so long ago. December 21, 2012 at 9:54pm Reply

      • Austenfan: As the happy owner of both the EDP wonderful, and the extrait I recommend the latter. It is the same scent but as with all extraits wears much softer and rounder. It is marketed as L’Eternel Féminin. December 23, 2012 at 11:32am Reply

    • Jillie: Hi, Zazie. I absolutely agree that vintage No 5 extrait smells nothing like modern edp or edt! In fact, the current No 5 really doesn’t even resemble the wonderful old stuff, at least not to my old nose!

      The nearest I have come across something that is as powdery and aldehydic is Givenchy’s L’Interdit. Of course this too has been reformulated, but they introduced the Mythique range a few years ago (with the aim of bringing their classic perfumes closer to their roots) and L’Interdit in this series is much more like its old self.

      I really believe you would like L’Interdit, so do give it a try! December 22, 2012 at 2:48am Reply

    • Karen: Shalimar or shalimar Light? Miss Dior (original) also devestatingly beautiful, elegant and lush. December 22, 2012 at 9:40am Reply

    • hongkongmom: Hi Zazie
      Andy tauers Miriam…for sure 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 3:31am Reply

    • minette: lots of great suggestions, and i hope you will try them, but there really isn’t anything like no. 5. i would seek out some vintage no. 5 and wear the hell out of it. just go for what you truly enjoy! December 23, 2012 at 7:29pm Reply

    • kal: Try Une Rose Chyprée by Tauer Perfumes, a succulent sexy and beautiful rose eau de parfum. You’ll love it, I’m sure! December 26, 2012 at 3:01am Reply

    • Sylvia: If you like a lush florals and the classics you might try Pure White Linen. Lovely sparkle at the top, flowers in the middle and warm cuddly dry down. And Estée is always easy to find so you can try it a few times before you commit! January 11, 2013 at 6:42pm Reply

  • Sabine: I have been looking for a new perfume for long… without success so far! So I’d like to know what you would recommend.
    The perfumes I have been wearing with pleasure are : Flora Nerolia (Guerlain), A la nuit (Serge Lutens), Quel amour! (Annick Goutal) and also Bois d’orange (Roger&Gallet). The one I prefered was Flora Nerolia but it’s no longer avilable!
    It’s difficult for me in English, so in French (as you read Marie-Claire in French! ) : je cherche un parfum féminin mais pas sucré, peut-être même avec une note masculine, mais néanmoins doux. J’aime les notes de jasmin, bergamote, néroli… If this evokes something to you, thank you for your suggestions! December 21, 2012 at 9:41am Reply

    • ChrisinNY: Maybe Fleur D’Oranger by L Artisan? I really like A L Nuit and this has a bit of the same notes to my (very novice)nose. If you want to try a bit more woodsy, then maybe Eau d’Hadrien by Annick Goutal. December 21, 2012 at 10:31am Reply

    • Qwendy: Sabine: why not try some parallel rich or fresh florals to the ones you normally like and get surprised and refreshed? Number One by Patricia de Nicolai comes to mind, or her Juste Une Reve or Temps d’une Fete for a fresh narcissus. Also the Van Cleef and Arpels line has Gardenia Petale and which is both fresh and rich, while APOM pour Femme by Maison Kurddijean is a different take on Orange Blossom. Have fun! December 21, 2012 at 10:35am Reply

    • Jackie: Do try Orangers en Fleurs (Houbigant). It’s just exquisitely beautiful. In fact, I bought it for my self for my birthday. December 21, 2012 at 10:36am Reply

    • Emily: Sabine, you might also try L’Artisan’s Seville à L’Aube for a richer orange blossom scent, or Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli for something a bit lighter. December 21, 2012 at 10:58am Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: Moi, je dirais: Songes, Annick Goutal. C’est un jasmin avec un peu de vanille, doux mais pas sucré, très agréable. Peut-être aussi: Olene (Diptyque) ou Thé Pour Un Été (L’Artisan Parfumeur). Ou Jardin de Néroli (Maître Parfumeur et Gantier). Bonne chance! December 21, 2012 at 11:32am Reply

    • Theresa: I have fallen in love with a sample of Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria Mandarine-Basilic – it is a wonderful combination of citrus notes & white floral. Delectable! not long-lasting, but so delicious. December 21, 2012 at 11:24am Reply

      • Daisy: Theresa,

        Have you tried Atelier Cologne’s Orange Sanguine? It is the juiciest, most delectable blood orange. with some white florals at its heart. Like everything they make, the fragrances are made to be longer lasting. December 21, 2012 at 12:14pm Reply

        • Theresa: Thanks for the suggestion – I will put it on “the list” and seek it out! I was surprised how much I liked the scent of Aqua Allegoria December 22, 2012 at 11:38am Reply

    • George: No19 is a contains bergamot, neroli and lots of florals, then with a big chunk of galbanum (a bitter green) and additional irisy weirdness. If you haven’t tried it, it’s a must to at least try. Any floral classic chypre would also do the job (provided it has an effective oak moss replacement). I’d look at Odalisque by Parfums du Nicolai, Diorella by Dior, Y by YSL. Also if you want to step off the flowery way, Terre D’Hermes might be nice for you to try though it doesn’t really qualify as a feminine, but in the context of what you have written, I think you might find it interesting, and that it might open you up to even possibilities in terms of the types of perfumes you might like. December 21, 2012 at 11:37am Reply

      • George: Oh No.19 is by Chanel of course. And forgive my ineptitude with the written French: it should of course be Parfums de Nicolai. I ALWAYS get that wrong. December 21, 2012 at 11:40am Reply

        • sabine: George, thank you very much for your suggestions. I like Terre d’Hermès very much and actually I went to Sephora yesterday to try it again… but oddly enough this fragrance somehow accelerates my heartbeat (?!). Maybe it means that I really like it “si mon coeur bat plus fort”? Another coincidence with your message : I have smelled Diorella for the first time yesterday and I thought I should give it a chance… Then I will explore your other suggestions. December 22, 2012 at 9:16am Reply

    • Matt: It’s a little expensive, but what about Francis Kurkdjian’s APOM pour femme (or even pour homme!). It’s based around orange blossom, but is very well balanced and not overly sweet. You could start by ordering a sample online, if you can’t find it in a store. December 21, 2012 at 12:40pm Reply

      • nikki: Yes, those are great scents! December 21, 2012 at 4:49pm Reply

      • ramone: matt,i agree with you, APOM is a fantastic perfume, both,for woman and for man. Recently i tested the oud fragrance from FK and this also is great, oriental style. December 22, 2012 at 1:46pm Reply

        • nikki: I love FK scents! December 24, 2012 at 1:49pm Reply

    • Dawn: Sabine, I think you might like Guerlain’s Pamplelune, an Aqua Allegoria scent– a different citrus that is luscious and on the edge of masculine. I have not been able to find anything that I love as much. December 21, 2012 at 1:32pm Reply

    • Donna: Have you tried L’Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillons? This is my ultimate floral and for reference, I love all the fragrances you mentioned in your post. December 21, 2012 at 2:55pm Reply

    • LCT: A thought for you, Sabine – Fleur de Male by Jean Paul Gauthier. It’s an orange blossom with a slight masculine edge but very wearable for a woman. To me, it’s in the same ballpark as Seville a l’Aube but not as dry – I like it better. December 21, 2012 at 3:18pm Reply

    • Allison: Azemour by Parfum d’Empire comes to mind – it has neroli as well as several other citrus notes along with some spices, rose hay and moss. December 21, 2012 at 3:48pm Reply

    • OperaFan: Sonoma Scent Studio’s Jour Ensoleille has many of the notes in common among the fragrances you like, but has a distinctive “American” air to it. It’s a feminine fragrance but not sweet. I classify it as a “gentle chypre.”
      Another that may be worth a try is Odalisque by Parfums de Nicolai. December 21, 2012 at 3:58pm Reply

    • Lucas: Sabine, give a try to Sonoma Scent Studio Jour Ensoleille! It’s a happiness bottled December 21, 2012 at 4:03pm Reply

    • nikki: for the best orange blossom, try Francis Kurkdijan’s APOM pour femme, gorgeous perfume! December 21, 2012 at 4:39pm Reply

    • Andrea: Perhaps Jardin du Neroli by MPG. December 21, 2012 at 6:09pm Reply

    • Amer: Try FK Lumiere Noir, a rose scent camouflaged as white florals. Beautifully seductive and yet vulnerable. Not in the least sugary. December 21, 2012 at 7:06pm Reply

      • nikki: Lumiere Noire is amazing. Rose and Patchouli, but very cool and sophisticated….Catherine Deneuve’s bespoke scent. December 24, 2012 at 1:51pm Reply

    • sabine: Thank you all for your suggestions! I feel like it’s “christmas before christmas” and I am so happy not to have bought a new fragrance before having your advice! Well I know what’s coming next : une délicieuse promenade among the perfumes you have suggested and maybe a “coup de coeur”. MERCI. December 22, 2012 at 8:36am Reply

    • Karen: Le labo Bergamote 22 or Dityque Neroli may be of interest. December 22, 2012 at 9:51am Reply

    • Anne: I second the Atelier Cologne recommendation, many of their scents have a neroli or bergamot base, and are on the slightly feminine side of unisex (in my opinion). Oolong & Bois Blonds are my current favorites from the line. December 22, 2012 at 10:29am Reply

    • Victoria: Sabine, you’ve received such great suggestions already, but here are just a couple of additional ideas that I thought of: Guerlain Vetiver pour Elle for a combination of jasmine and vetiver, so lovely (and I believe, it’s still available). Also, have you tried Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier? December 23, 2012 at 6:59am Reply

      • Victoria: And Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio for a combination of green leaves, green figs, neroli and woods. A great summer perfume. December 23, 2012 at 7:00am Reply

        • Sabine: Victoria, exceptionaly in french this time : à l’occasion d’un détour par une plus grande ville que la mienne où ni Annick Goutal, ni L’Artisan parfumeur ne sont représentés, j’ai eu l’occasion de sentir La Chasse aux papillons, Ninfeo Mio… et de sentir à nouveau Quel Amour! (un parfum que j’aimais tant). C’était un délice de suivre vos pistes : j’aime beaucoup Ninfeo Mio et attends de voir comment il évolue sur la peau. J’ai trouvé La Chasse aux papillons un peu vert (avec le tilleul) mais doux et subtil dans le temps. Néanmoins, je crois que je préfère l’éclat des compositions d’Annick Goutal. Avec Quel Amour! j’ai l’impression d’être une petite fille à la fête, avec la promesse de moments gourmands! Entre Quel Amour! et Ninfeo Mio mon coeur balance… Je prendrai peut-être les deux? 🙂 Thank you again. January 17, 2013 at 5:50am Reply

          • Victoria: Sabine, ça me fait plaisir de le savoir! 🙂 La recherche a donné des résultats.

            Eh bien, pourquoi ne pas prendre les deux! Ils sont très différents. Ninfeo Mio est vert et tendre, et Quel Amour! est pétillant et joyeux. Je porte Quel Amour! souvent cet hiver. January 17, 2013 at 10:42am Reply

            • sabine: Ce sera l’un après l’autre car après la période de Noël, ma bourse n’est plus très pleine. 🙂 Un pour l’hiver puis un pour le printemps. Je suis très heureuse d’avoir découvert votre blog, une belle occasion de réveiller mon anglais assoupi, en douceur et en senteurs! January 17, 2013 at 3:12pm Reply

              • Victoria: Merci beaucoup, Sabine!

                Une très bonne idée! 🙂 January 18, 2013 at 11:57am Reply

      • Sabine: Thank you Victoria for these suggestions : it seems that Vetiver pour Elle is no longer available (I couldn’t find it on the online Guerlain store) but I have tried Serge Lutens Fleurs de citronnier. I liked it very much from the tester but on my skin it turns to be too sweet… I will investigate further to find “mon parfum du moment”. January 15, 2013 at 11:07am Reply

    • Lynne Marie: You might want to give Zeta by Tauer a try. Orange blossom, lemon, neroli, bergamot – incredibly feminine with amazing sillage! December 23, 2012 at 12:14pm Reply

    • hajusuuri: Sabine, No4 Fleurs d’Oranger Prada is not very common and you may need to go to a Prada boutique to try it.

      It is a classic orange blossom fragrance with lily of the valley, jasmine, rose and tuberose, with a resiny-woody base, honey and incense. December 23, 2012 at 2:49pm Reply

    • Sylvia: Hi Sabine!, I second the L’artisan Seville de Laube. It sounds like that might be a match. Happy perfume smelling. January 11, 2013 at 6:47pm Reply

  • Debbie: I have worn Vera Wang’s Bouquet for the past couple of years. Twenty years ago, when I was younger I worn Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps and Chloe. I like a light floral and citrus fragrance. Any recommendations?
    Thanks. December 21, 2012 at 9:43am Reply

    • Maureen: I would recommend L’eau de Chloe…it a beautiful light citrusy floral chyphre with rose accents. December 21, 2012 at 9:57am Reply

      • zephyr: I’ll second this recommendation for L’eau de Chloe. In a previous recommend-me-a-perfume post a few months ago, Victoria thought that I should try L’eau de Chloe, because my beloved Parure is so hard to obtain. I did, and I do like it. L’eau de Chloe is a chypre, but light, rosy, and citrusy too. I wish it had better lasting power on me, though. It’s readily available in the department stores and at Sephora; easy to sniff, do a test run, and find a full-size. I’m buying a full-size once I’m brave enough to hit the mall right after Christmas. I’ve never worn any of your listed favorites, but I sniffed Chloe during one of my L’eau de Chloe recon testing missions. They are not the same, but I think you’ll like L’eau de Chloe. December 21, 2012 at 10:44am Reply

    • key change: I’d recommend Coach’s original fragrance, or perhaps even Chanel Chance au tender. I also tend to gravitate twoards a combination of citrus and green florals! December 21, 2012 at 10:01am Reply

    • fleurdelys: Hermes’ 24, Faubourg is a lovely white flower and citrus fragrance. December 21, 2012 at 10:09am Reply

    • Patt: I recommend Bianca by Tocca. It has a lovely light citrus opening followed by rose. It’s not a complex fragrance, but is very pretty and refreshing. December 21, 2012 at 10:46am Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: I love those notes as well. Have you tried L’eau d’Italie Jardin du Poete? It’s more herbal, but worth a try. December 21, 2012 at 10:57am Reply

    • Emily: My favorite light citrus-floral scent is Chanel Cristalle (in EDT; the EDP is quite different). I just suggested Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli for another commenter, but you might like it, too. December 21, 2012 at 11:02am Reply

    • D: Seville D’Aube. Someone suggested this in response to someone who wanted a citrius, but I think it is a good suggestionf or you as well.
      A December 21, 2012 at 12:49pm Reply

    • Anat13: Ormonde Jayne Frangipani is my favorite citrus floral–it has notes of notes of linden, magnolia, lime, frangipani, jasmine, rose and tuberose absolutes, water lilies, plum, green orchid oil, amber, musk, cedar, and vanilla absolute. Really gorgeous and refreshing. Victoria’s review is here: https://boisdejasmin.com/2012/04/ormonde-jayne-frangipani-absolute-fragrance-review.html December 21, 2012 at 12:55pm Reply

    • Liz: You may like Prada Infusion d’Iris. It’s a well-crafted mainstream floral that hits a sweet spot of being restrained, but still interesting and sophisticated enough to stand out. December 21, 2012 at 1:00pm Reply

    • monkeytoe: Have you tried Ormonde Jayne Frangipani? December 21, 2012 at 1:49pm Reply

    • Renee: EL’s Private Collection Jasmine and White Moss is quite lovely. December 22, 2012 at 8:03am Reply

    • Catherine Heveron: You might want to try Jour d’Hermes; opens with a bright grapefruit note, then morphs into a floral blend with a warm soft dry down. December 22, 2012 at 1:39pm Reply

      • mariekel: I highly recommend Miller Harris Jasmin Vert, a light, verdant floral with a citrus backbone. MIN NY has it at a good price right now. December 24, 2012 at 12:16am Reply

  • Mer: What is your recommendation for: saffron!

    I have tried Safran Troublant and it lasted 5 minutes 🙁 before disappearing it became too gourmand/dessert-y anyway. My nemesis is vanilla, can only tolerate a little bit of it.

    Thanks! December 21, 2012 at 10:09am Reply

    • Qwe dy: Mer, I am a saffron lover vanilla hater too, and it is a really hard note to explore! Mon take has a rather brutal Saffron Oud and the ubiquitous Arabic scents are full of the stuff, blended with woods and florals, never vanilla! Mukhalat is one of my favesI

      i also love going onto luckyscent and putting a note I am pursuing into the search box and seeing what comes up. It’s a great way to discover new things! December 21, 2012 at 10:29am Reply

    • Qwendy: That was Montale not Mon take 🙂 December 21, 2012 at 10:36am Reply

      • Mer: Fantastic 😀 a brutal saffron sounds just right to me 😉 thanks!! December 21, 2012 at 11:16am Reply

    • Theresa: I’m not sure what the saffron note itself smells like, but I have noticed that Bulgari Omnia (the original) smells a lot like Safran Troublant, and it is long lasting, in a very understated way. I like it! December 21, 2012 at 11:26am Reply

      • Shiloh: I was going to recommend Safran Troublant, too! I get a very strong saffron with that. Very nice! December 21, 2012 at 4:26pm Reply

        • silverdust: I’m also a saffron nut. Second the recommendation of Agent Provocateur. December 21, 2012 at 8:00pm Reply

      • Mer: I will have to check it out, thanks! December 22, 2012 at 6:16am Reply

    • Judy: Have you tried Eau Duelle by Diptyque? Lovely round, warm scent, and it lasts. December 21, 2012 at 12:01pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: What about Byredo Black Saffron. I love Diptique Volutes. I’d like to try Decennial Bois Bourbon (Luckyscent 10th anniversary) December 21, 2012 at 12:06pm Reply

    • Bee: strong saffron notes, in my opinion: Daimiris (laloratorio ofattivo, by P. Guillaume), and the (maybe discontinued?) Opôné by Diptyque December 21, 2012 at 12:42pm Reply

    • Safran: Hello Mer,

      the italian brand Odori have a great saffron scent without any vanilla in sight, it’s called Zafferano (saffron in italian).

      Cheers
      Safran December 21, 2012 at 12:51pm Reply

    • Anat13: Ormonde Jayne Ta’if edp! Saffron, rose, dates, broom–absolutely wonderful! December 21, 2012 at 12:57pm Reply

    • monkeytoe: The discontinued but findable and cheap Comptoir Sud Pacifique Sultan Safran. December 21, 2012 at 2:11pm Reply

    • Lucas: Mer, to me Histoires de Parfums Rosam is a lovely blend of rose, oud and saffron. December 21, 2012 at 4:05pm Reply

    • Elisa: Agent Provocateur and (to my nose) Dior Oud Ispahan both have saffron top notes over dry, woody roses. An d Cuir de Lancome has a nice subtle saffron top note as well. December 21, 2012 at 4:30pm Reply

    • Merlin: Ineka’s Evening Edged in Gold has, I think, quite a strong saffron note which gives quite a lot of weight to the osmanthus in it. To me it smells like happiness! December 21, 2012 at 6:42pm Reply

      • Anne: EEinG has been my go-to scent for holiday parties this year and I’ve finally deemed it FBW. It’s elegant, but sweet & happy. Perfect for festive get togethers in intimate settings. December 22, 2012 at 10:33am Reply

    • RVB: Try Bond No.9 New York Oud.It’s the strongest saffron perfume I’ve encountered.Although it’s called an oud scent it’s more of a dark rose/saffron perfume.Be warned the sillage and staying power are nuclear.A little goes a looooong way.I can smell it on a shirt form months ago December 22, 2012 at 1:22am Reply

    • Mer: Too many replies (yay!) to go thanking everyone individually, so let me thank you here!

      Adding all the recommendations to my list :))) December 22, 2012 at 6:20am Reply

  • Terry Edwards Futrelle: My husband and I have been using Gucci, Envy, for men, since the beginning. It is now discontinued. I am at a loss for a replacement. Could you help, Victoria? Gucci, Envy, for men, was such a beautiful scent…I do so, love, reading your gorgeous blog. Thank
    you, Victoria! December 21, 2012 at 10:33am Reply

    • laurinha: How about Lalique Noir Homme or YSL Rive Gauche pour homme? Or Oudh Noir by Angela Flanders. Good luck ! December 21, 2012 at 11:01am Reply

    • Ann-Sofie: This is a longshot, as they do not resemble Envy, but I have always been thinking that Knowing/Estee Lauder and Gold/Donna Karan would be totally devastatingly awesome on a man. December 21, 2012 at 11:02am Reply

    • Lynley: I love Gucci Envy for men, much more than the feminine version, and for many years have regretted buying for an ex-boyfriend because I loved it, and not for myself! And I’m devastated it’s discontinued and hard to find (and so now very pricey!!) So I was happy to discover when I was sampling the Histoires de Parfum ‘library’ series that the Jules Verne one (I can never remember their dates!) smells really similar, and is extremely wearable. I was initially deterred by the price, but now there’s not much difference! December 21, 2012 at 11:08am Reply

  • Magpie: Does anyone have any recommendations for a floral perfume with a distinctly creamy-powdery side? I think some almond, marzipan, or rice facets would be nice. The thing is, I *don’t* want to smell like “baby powder”, and I’d rather keep the fruit content to a minimum.

    In the past I’ve avoided powdery scents but recently I fell in love with Sonoma Scent Studios Lieu de Reves and now I want to explore that genre!

    Thanks! December 21, 2012 at 11:12am Reply

    • monkeytoe: Kenzo Amour and its flankers are worth a shot and have a wonderful vanillic/rice steam scent. Ego Facto Poopoo Pidoo is another rice steam scent, but it may be too powdery for you. Parfumerie Generale Felanilla is another scent on that spectrum that would be worth a shot. December 21, 2012 at 1:53pm Reply

      • Magpie: Thanks, I’ll look up Poopoo Pidoo (what a name, lol) and Felanilla!

        Kenzo Amour is one I’m already familiar with – I really enjoy that one, but it’s not floral enough to fill this particular craving! After the cool, pleasingly synthetic floral topnotes fade off it’s all about woody incense rice pudding to me!

        I’ve tried Indian Holi too, and it’s nice, but the juicy red berries spoil the snuggly effect for me. December 22, 2012 at 12:47am Reply

    • monkeytoe: How could I forget Serge Lutens Rahat Loukoum, though the cherry might be too fruity for you. Kenzo Winter Flowers is another option for a mimosa/almond scent as is Parfums de Nicolai Mimosaique. December 21, 2012 at 1:58pm Reply

      • Magpie: I actually have no idea how mimosa smells like – but it sounds like it could be just what I’m looking for. Mimosaique sounds especially lovely – thank you for the tip! December 22, 2012 at 12:52am Reply

    • Jack Sullivan: For creamy, boozy marzipan, I’d go for Parfumerie Générale Bois de Copaiba. December 21, 2012 at 2:11pm Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: It may not be a top-perfume, but I appreciate the marzipan in Joop! le Bain. December 21, 2012 at 3:07pm Reply

      • Magpie: Boozy marzipan sounds delicious, and anything with “bois” in the name strikes a chord… I love me some woods. Doesn’t sound like the dainty floral sort of concoction I was thinking of, but it sounds like it might be up my alley anyway. Thanks! December 22, 2012 at 12:54am Reply

    • Nina Z: Champaca by Ormonde Jayne has a rice note (though I wouldn’t call it powdery). It is a beautiful floral–very uplifting. December 21, 2012 at 3:14pm Reply

      • Magpie: Non-powdery rice sounds just as appealing as the powdery variant. Champaca sounds beautiful, as do almost ALL the OJ scents, really. I actually have one untested sample of an OJ scent kicking around, Ta’if. I haven’t tried it because I’m sort of afraid that I’ll love it so much I’ll need to try… and ultimately want to buy… the whole line. >_< December 22, 2012 at 12:56am Reply

    • OperaFan: Also try Parfums de Nicolai’s Kiss Me Tender. Notes from Luckyscent: Vanilla, aniseed, almond, fresh cut hay December 21, 2012 at 3:51pm Reply

      • Magpie: I’ve had my eye on this one. The touch of hay sounds like an especially nice touch! Seeing it mentioned just puts it higher on my list of lemmings. It’s taking a bit of willpower not to buy a small bottle unsniffed! 🙂 December 22, 2012 at 12:58am Reply

    • Lucas: Maybe Prada Infusion d’Iris but in Absolue edition (golden one)

      Or Poudre de Riz from Huitieme Art Parfums December 21, 2012 at 4:06pm Reply

      • Magpie: I found the original Infusion d’Iris a bit… stuffy? It made me feel almost claustrophobic! It’s strange, because I enjoy smelling the sillage wafting off somebody wearing it, but I didn’t like it on myself at all. How does the Absolue edition differ? December 22, 2012 at 1:02am Reply

        • Lucas: Absolue is less powdery and more rooty and earthy aspect of iris. Some people say it smells like a combination of Infusion d’Iris EdT and EdP, somewhere in the middle December 22, 2012 at 5:40am Reply

    • Els v. M.: You might try Blanc Violettes, Histoires de Parfums, it’s a delicious light powdery scent, perfect foor spring. December 21, 2012 at 4:25pm Reply

    • Elisa: I am loving the powder accord in Mona di Orio Musc of late. It’s a bit like baby powder, but really fancy, delicious baby powder! December 21, 2012 at 5:04pm Reply

    • Shaney: What about Annick Goutal Heure Exquise? I love it so much…a gorgeous floral with a powdery dry down that isn’t baby powder at all! December 21, 2012 at 8:43pm Reply

    • Nina Z: An almondy scent you might like is Guerlain Oriental Brulant. But the Lutens Rahat Loukoum is the best! December 21, 2012 at 8:48pm Reply

    • Raluca: I suggest biehl parfumkunstwerke eo1 December 21, 2012 at 11:45pm Reply

    • RVB: Both Lipstick Rose and Iris Poudre from Frederic Malle are beautiful powdery scents without any hint of the baby powder smell.Lipstick rose combines rose and powder notes(like a very high end lipstick) and Iris Poudre smells like a soft powdery iris.Also try 1889 Moulin Rouge by Histoiries de Parfums-it has a beautiful powdery iris note and is supposed to replicate the smell of the makeup rooms backstage at the Moulin Rouge December 22, 2012 at 1:30am Reply

    • Renee: Whenever I want powdery I go right to my Guerlain Shalimar. I love it! December 22, 2012 at 8:07am Reply

    • Austenfan: For a rice note, although it isn’t powdery, is Fils de Dieu du Riz et des Agrumes bu Etat Libre d’Orange. December 23, 2012 at 3:47pm Reply

  • Cristina: I’m putting together a gift for a friend with abut 100 samples for her to explore. Her favorite is Magie Noire and while I’m not trying to only find similar things, I’m curious what you folks would recommend for her to try.

    PS. : In the process I’m also trying to give quick descriptions for a complex experience of my sample set so I’m cross reading reviews and I have to thank you Victoria for your wistfully beautiful yet accurately precise descriptions. Merry Christmas! December 21, 2012 at 11:15am Reply

    • Jani: Nice idea Cristina! I really like Magie Noire myself. Here are a few Oriental fragrances that I’ve worn, which she may enjoy, too: L de Lolita Lempicka (warm and cinnamony and luscious), Clinique’s Aromatics Elixir (another stunner for cold winter weather), and Guerlain’s Bois d’Armenie (you can get decants from theperfumedcourt.com and sometimes actual samples from Guerlain on eBay). Kate Walsh’s Boyfriend (Sephora)always results in compliments plus it’s relatively inexpensive, too. December 21, 2012 at 11:57am Reply

      • Tomate Farcie: Wow, what a gift! My additions would be Vero Profumo Mito, MDCI Chypre Palatin and SL Chergui December 21, 2012 at 12:38pm Reply

      • Cristina: I do have bottles of those except Boyfriend. I’ll dig into my samples to see what’s that about. Thank you. December 21, 2012 at 1:35pm Reply

      • Elena: A few more to add to give to your friend: Samsara is easy to find, as is Shalimar. I did not see Shalimar Parfum Initial, but I’d add that, too. (I really like it!) Chergui, Coco as mentioned elsewhere, maybe Dune, Tom Ford Black Orchid (though I don’t love it, lots of people do). Violet Blonde for fun? I just love Violet Blonde and seem to recommend it to everyone regardless of what they ask for. 🙂 December 21, 2012 at 1:47pm Reply

      • Raluca: I would like to suggest Cinnabar by EL and Coco by Chanel December 22, 2012 at 11:48am Reply

    • George: Secretions Magnifique 😉 It just has to be done……

      As for the other 99, so many to choose from, but ten I would include would be

      Sycomore, Portrait of a Lady, Absolue pour le Soir, Apres L’ondee, Coromandel, Fracas, Guerlain Cologne Imperiale, Caron pour Homme, Terre D’Hermes, Flower by Kenzo.

      Basically, after much, much testing, that’s my perfume wardrobe, and it’s a broad spectrum of types of perfume…….. December 21, 2012 at 12:02pm Reply

      • George: Oh and what a lovely gift!!!! December 21, 2012 at 12:02pm Reply

      • Cristina: Very interesting choices. Definitely must add Absolue pour le Soir and Terre D’hermes. December 21, 2012 at 1:37pm Reply

      • Cristina: Oh. And I don’t know about Secretions Magnifiques…. December 21, 2012 at 1:42pm Reply

        • George: My other suggestion would be to break down the perfumes you would give in to types, and choose the best that you can think of of each type. Then, once you have done that, to maybe start hair splitting over them. For example, although I would choose Sycomore (or Encre Noir), I would then probably go on to choose a more gentlemanly/ladylike vetiver as well. However, I wouldn’t include both Encre Noir and Sycomore, or both Givenchy Vetiver and Guerlain Vetiver.

          You’ve got a really fun task ahead of you!

          I completely understand your point re SM. lol December 21, 2012 at 2:32pm Reply

    • D: I would include some niche scents too. December 21, 2012 at 12:51pm Reply

      • Cristina: I did. That’s the point of the gift, things she’s not likely to be able to try otherwise 🙂 December 21, 2012 at 1:38pm Reply

    • Cristina: I’m sorry, I forgot to say to say that they have to be in production and available just in case she wants to buy a bottle for herself. I can get her vintage Femme but , overall, it would be difficult to try to pursue vintage stuff for other people. December 21, 2012 at 1:35pm Reply

    • Nina Z: L’Arte di Gucci is in the same ballpark as Magie Noire, if you can get your hands on some. Maybe try some modern rose chypres, such as Guerlain Rose Barbare or Serge Lutens Rose de Nuit. Maybe also 31 Rue Cambon from Chanel as a modern chypre. Other rose fragrances she might like would also be Parfum Sacre, Ormonde Jayne Ta’if, and Amouage Lyric Woman (what I wouldn’t do for a bottle of that!). I’d also assume that someone who likes Magie Noire (I used to wear it) would like bold and/or oriental fragrances. So how about Chanel Coromandel, Ormonde Jayne Woman (I bet that would blow her mind) and Tolu. I could go on…. December 21, 2012 at 3:25pm Reply

    • J: A 100 sample perfume gift sounds divine. Beautiful idea. December 21, 2012 at 6:51pm Reply

    • Annikky: What a wonderful idea! I especially like that you are adding descriptions, this is quite a task…

      I don’t remember Magie Noire that well (although I remember liking it), so my ideas are based more on association than trying to exactly match your friend’s favourite. A few things that came to mind: Ormonde Jayne signature scent and Ta’if, Sonoma Scent Studio Jour Ensoleille (if you want to include some indie samples, I think SSS is perfect) and Trayee and Mohur by Neela Vermeire, two of my favourite discoveries of 2012. And although in no way related to Magie Noire, I need to nominate Cuir de Russie, as I am having a major crush on it at the moment:) December 22, 2012 at 7:05am Reply

    • Solanace: What a lovely, thoughtful gift! She will be thrilled! A lover of Magie Noire myself, I would suggest, as very different takes

      Amouage Gold Woman
      PdN Le Temps dUne Fete
      SL Borneo
      Hermes Caleche
      Diptyque l’ombre dans l’eau December 22, 2012 at 11:30am Reply

      • Solanace: Oh, and chanel bois des iles, along with the cuir de Russie mentioned above! December 22, 2012 at 11:33am Reply

    • Victoria: Cristina, what a fantastic gift idea! I bet that your friend will be pleased. Glad that you found some helpful information here.

      If you have a sample of L’Artisan Patchouli Patch, you might want to include it too. It has that earthy darkness that reminds me of Magie Noire, but it is very radiant and modern. December 23, 2012 at 7:03am Reply

    • Canadianpetite: No recommendations but wanted to say, you are such a good friend for doing this for her. I’d love to open such a present! December 27, 2012 at 1:42pm Reply

  • Shoshi: Christina, what about giving her samples of:

    Chanel Coco
    Rochas Femme
    Fendi Asja
    Badgley Mischka December 21, 2012 at 11:21am Reply

  • CK: Help please! I am a total perfume novice and would appreciate recommendations for expanding my horizons (preferably easily obtainable perfumes, ie Sephora or department stores). My current favorite is Lanvin Marry Me, which I find sharp, clean and sophisticated, but a summer fragrance. My secondary summer fragrance is Marc Jacobs Daisy, which I like but don’t love like Marry Me. I also like Dior J’Adore and J’Adore Absolu, but could not decide which I prefer so I didn’t buy either (to me they are summer fragrances). My main winter fragrance is Clarins Par Amour, which feels warm and cozy. I also wear Boucheron Boucheron and Boucheron Initial for fancy dress-up winter occasions (although I have sort of fallen out of love with them). December 21, 2012 at 11:26am Reply

    • Joaquim: Well, the classic is Serge Lutens, I started in this world with his work, you can find at Sephora, and if you’re in NY you’ll find the exclusive line at Barneys. The exclusive line is a bit harder to understand but is the most interesting. Nearly all fragances are cozy and warm, dense and complex. My favorites are Tubereuse Criminelle, an excelent tuberose with a twist at the opening (this was my first “what the fuck is this” with a scent) and Fourreau Noir.
      Hope you enjoy! December 21, 2012 at 3:28pm Reply

    • Annemarie: Hello CK. A year ago I was completely new to perfume, like you are now. I went to department stores to sniff the fragrances I read about in blogs. The best part was that I discovered that I like a lot of different categories, not only florals but also orientals, woodies and chypres and that I can appreciate light and heavy fragrances. So my advice for expanding your horizons would be: sniff, sniff and sniff. And don’t forget that a new love could need several dates.

      Things you could try: Bottega Veneta (suede and peach), Cartier Baiser Volé (lily), Chanel Cristalle (ice cristalles on citrus), Elie Saab (orange blossom), Hermes Un Jardin en Méditerranée (wood with figs), Prada Infusion d’Iris (lovely soft iris), Prada Candy (sweet fun), Guerlain Shalimar or Shalimar Initial (classic orientals). December 21, 2012 at 5:47pm Reply

      • Daisy: Hi CK,

        I agree with Annemarie. Go out and smell everything! At Sephora and at department stores. Even things you didn’t think you would like. Don’t forget to not overlook the men’s section/department. Lots of wonderful fragrances that would be equally great on a woman.

        And one piece of advice I wish someone had told me when I was starting out: keep a notebook or a journal as you go!

        Good luck and welcome to the rabbit hole 🙂 December 21, 2012 at 6:58pm Reply

    • Merlin: Can I suggest getting a copy of ‘Perfume The Guide’ – that is, if you are also interested in learning about different perfumes. You may disagree with many of the opinions in it but its a really good way in to what can be an overwhelming world. December 21, 2012 at 6:48pm Reply

      • Nina Z: I second this suggestion. You will soon fall down the rabbit hole. Also, be sure to smell Chanel No 19, which is easily available (some department stores have the Chanel exclusive line–definitely smell those–most are amazing) and as many classic Guerlain fragrances as you can find (high-end department stores have those). When you say “department store,” there is a big variation on what you might find depending on which one. If we knew which country you lived in and which department store you went to, we might be able to get more specific! December 21, 2012 at 9:14pm Reply

        • Solanace: Seconding The Guide too. And getting samples and then reading about the fragrances both in the Guide and Perfume Blogs as you try them is really fun and a great way to learn. And try not to overload your nose too much on your trips to sephora. Enjoy! December 22, 2012 at 11:42am Reply

    • Jessica: I had a long time affair with Boucheron as well and moved on to YSL Cinema, which I consider perfect for winter. I put a link to Victoria’s review below. M. Micallef, Hiver, is another sparkly, multi-dimensional scent that you may enjoy. Keeping a journal is very helpful, especially to keep track of the different manifestations a scent will take on as you wear it over time. Some perfumes may be gorgeous to you at first, but not your cup of tea after some time has passed. You may also find scents you love to layer together, and documenting what you like about them can help you learn a lot about what appeals to you. You will definitely be surprised! Good luck.

      https://boisdejasmin.com/2011/11/yves-saint-laurent-cinema-perfume-review.html#more-128 December 22, 2012 at 7:59pm Reply

      • Jessica: Oh! And 31 Rue Cambon, it’s perfection. December 22, 2012 at 8:02pm Reply

    • Elena: Annick Goutal is a line full of beautiful stuff, and often not too hard to find (in addition to the other recommendations!). December 22, 2012 at 11:37pm Reply

    • CK: Thanks so much for all of the helpful comments and suggestions! I will get the book and a notebook and get out there and start smelling everything (and hopefully no longer feel intimidated and overwhelmed). December 23, 2012 at 1:58pm Reply

    • HB: Chiming in super late – but hopefully this will help: I frequently go to Sephora just to smell my way through. 🙂 I head over to “the other side” and test out a lot of the men’s offerings too. They carry some stunning classics like Eau Sauvage (citrus, LBD sort of fragrance) and Chanel Pour Monsieur (chypre!). And that’s just the beginning… December 24, 2012 at 3:25am Reply

  • Karenann: I’m new to perfumes….I am looking for a quiet, soft, close to the skin perfume. Something earthy and woody…I would not care for any sweet or floral scent and I do not like vanilla. I’m late middle aged and very casual….this is more for my enjoyment than for anyone else.
    Karen December 21, 2012 at 11:57am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: Maybe Bois des Iles or Beige (both Chanel les Exclusifs) Or Bois ‘Arménie (expensive; Guerlain les exclusifs). December 21, 2012 at 1:54pm Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: Bois d’Arménie I mean. December 21, 2012 at 3:09pm Reply

      • Shiloh: I second Beige by Chanel. It’s beautiful, personal and has a great floral scent without anything “sweet”. December 21, 2012 at 4:30pm Reply

      • Nina Z: I second Bois des Iles! Subtle and beautiful sandalwood scent. December 21, 2012 at 9:15pm Reply

        • Solanace: Thirding Chanel bois des iles. So perfect. December 22, 2012 at 11:46am Reply

    • OperaFan: I would highly recommend Ormonde Jayne’s Woman for you in terms of fragrance characteristics and age-appropriateness. It’s a favorite among perfumistas, and in my opinion – discreet yet noticeable to the wearer.
      Just a single spritz on a cotton ball and tuck in your bra! December 21, 2012 at 3:48pm Reply

      • George: I third this, and also think that you might like others in the range too. December 21, 2012 at 5:34pm Reply

      • Merete: Can I throw in a question here, please, now that we’re discussing OJ Woman? I only know (and highly appreciate) the edp, but would very much like to hear any comments as to the difference between the parfum and the edp? I usually prefer parfum/extrait concentrations of my scents, but it does vary from scent to scent. Comments on OJ Woman Parfum compared to the edp are very welcome, thank you. December 22, 2012 at 6:14am Reply

        • OperaFan: A late reply and the information is 2nd-hand, but according to feedback from others, there’s not a whole lot of difference between the 2, so unless you’re dying to get your hands on the crystal splash bottle, you’re better off financially buying the edp. December 27, 2012 at 10:31am Reply

          • Merete: Thank you very much, Operafan (I’m somewhat of an opera fan, myself, by the way :-). Your reply is very much appreciated. December 27, 2012 at 5:22pm Reply

      • Karenann: OperaFan, Ormonde Jayne Woman –. Perfectly divine, gratifying. — (I am exuberantly clapping my hands toward you:) Karenann January 3, 2013 at 11:55am Reply

    • Kristina: I have the feeling you might love Ormonde Woman – it’s green, earthy, woody and it’s rather unusual. December 21, 2012 at 3:51pm Reply

      • Kristina: Oops, just saw that someone else already recommended OJ! December 21, 2012 at 3:52pm Reply

    • Wesley Parker: Hi Karenann – Have you tried Ormonde Jayne Woman? It’s soft to moderate – and very earthy, woody – also green. It’s famous for smelling “like a forest” and is very magical and unusual. No vanilla in sight! Though floral notes are listed, this is really all about green notes (coriander/grass) the famous and unusual Black Hemlock, and a very earthy base of vetiver and cedar.

      The notes are:
      Top: Cardamom, coriander and grass oil
      Heart: Black hemlock, violet and jasmine absolute
      Base: Vetiver, cedar wood, amber and sandalwood December 21, 2012 at 3:52pm Reply

      • Karenann: Sounds as if this would be a comfortable scent for me. I do appreciate the notes you’ve listed for me to get an understanding of Ormonde Jayne Woman. December 26, 2012 at 8:49am Reply

    • Ariadne: Karenann,
      Aftelier’s Sepia is very complex & different and in the woody, non-floral genre. Also, Bulgari Au The Rouge or Au The Vert are understated scents based on a tea aroma. Very comfy, soft and sophisticated. You will not think of flowers with these either. December 21, 2012 at 4:11pm Reply

    • nikki: Donna Karan’s Cashmere December 21, 2012 at 4:43pm Reply

      • Karenann: I do own Donna Karan’s Cashmere and find that it is very nice…thanks. December 26, 2012 at 8:57am Reply

    • Undina: I’ll join others on Beige.

      Another recommendation – Dyptique Tam Dao. December 21, 2012 at 6:40pm Reply

      • Daisy: I second Undina! Tam Dao is a great recommendation. December 21, 2012 at 7:02pm Reply

        • Anat13: I third Tam Dao! December 21, 2012 at 7:46pm Reply

          • Victoria: 4th Tam Dao! It was my first thought when I read the original comment. December 23, 2012 at 6:52am Reply

      • Karenann: Dyptique Tam Dao, I find this a bit too strong and masculine. I appreciate the recomendations….otherwise I would have never tried it. December 27, 2012 at 9:23am Reply

        • Karenann: The first time with TAM DAO.. I did not care for it…tried it a second time.. started to like it …. the third time I wore TAM DAO, I loved it. Thank you for the introduction. This is a favorite. I also like find I like DIPTYQUE PHILOSYKOS. January 8, 2013 at 9:02am Reply

    • Em: Yet another recommend for Beige, and possibly also Jersey (as long as you’re sniffing Exclusifs). Also, Kelly Caleche is my other Unobtrusive Teaching Scent. December 21, 2012 at 10:34pm Reply

    • Mer: Something a little different from the other recommendations you’ve got: Serge Lutens – Daim Blond. December 22, 2012 at 6:29am Reply

    • Ferris: Since you like earthy and woody, I am going to suggest Cristal ( wrong spelling I think) and No 19 by Chanel. both are similar being that they both are green smelling, not sweet and have oak moss in their compositions. The dry down is powdery, soft and close to the skin. The version I am recommending is the EDT. The edp is totally different and is much sweeter and you probably wouldn’t like it much. December 22, 2012 at 6:47am Reply

      • Karenann: I appreciate everyone taking their time to answer ….This will be such a divine quest for me…. I am confident your suggestions are par excellent, ….. I thank each of you! December 22, 2012 at 9:53am Reply

    • Solanace: The Diptyque line sounds like your cup of tea. December 22, 2012 at 11:44am Reply

    • Julie: I suggest Caswell-Massey’s Sandalwood oil. They list it as natural Mysore sandalwood at 10% in an oil base. I’ve been wearing it nonstop for the past week & huffing myself regularly. And it’s extremely inexpensive. December 22, 2012 at 3:00pm Reply

    • Maggie: As a slightly sideways step from earthy/woody how about the Hermessence range? Elegant and unobtrusive but covering light florals as well. In particular, Santal Massoia, Osmanthe Yunnan or Iris Ukiyoe. December 22, 2012 at 7:35pm Reply

    • hongkongmom: hi there
      although it has sillage…champagne de bois beautiful woody and not sweet floral at all December 23, 2012 at 3:44am Reply

    • HB: I’m also vanilla-shy if not totally averse, and I have had great success with Chanel Sycomore – on me it wears more comfortably than Bois des Iles. December 24, 2012 at 3:27am Reply

  • Nancy A: (
    Bond Street’s) Harrod’s Oud Patchouli, Oud & Bergamot, the newer lauch of Rose Oud (Jo Malone)is femininity. The Bond Street Oud Patchouli is all about sensuality (a candle should be considered by their creator: Laurice Rahme), equally is Nuits de Noho and praise for L’artisan’s Nuit de Tubereuse. If one’s significant other enjoys spicy then Cartier’s Declaration is a “neck nibbler”, equally so is YSL’s Homme. Prices being what they are one may be limited to purchase, but discovery is always a treat. I’m always up for Bois des Iles and eternally disappointed that Chanel repackaged the original Rue Cambon Collection and integrated these classics with the the new collection. December 21, 2012 at 2:08pm Reply

    • Karenann: Nancy, I Thank you sincerely. I have aquired samples of Jo Malone’s Oud & Bergamot along with Timbuktu EDT. Both scents are a delight to me. I do prefer the Ode & Bergamot slightly more……I am determined to try every perfum I’ve been introduced to through this forum….I will search until I find samples of as many as possible….Wonderful….simply wonderful… December 25, 2012 at 10:44am Reply

      • Karenann: TEO CABANEL ALAHINE. I did not expect to like this because of the many floral notes but “I” can’t pick them out. This would not be comfortable (for me) to wear for a daily casual although I will obtain a small bottle. It is nice, very nice, not sweet…. soft. (I am not sure why I sampled this scent. I looked through this thread but do not see it named.)
        TOP
        Bergamot, Lavender, Ylang-Ylang
        MIDDLE
        Bulgarian Rose, Moroccan Rose, Jasmin, Orange Blossom
        BASE
        Iris, Rock Rose, Patchouli, Benzoin, Vanilla, Musk December 27, 2012 at 8:05pm Reply

  • Az: Hi all,

    I am hoping someone can recommend me a good chocolate and mint perfume. As point of reference, I got a delicious choc and mint shower gel by Original Source. But it is very shortlived (which is fine for a shower gel). It does mean I have a huge craving for a choc and mint perfume! I don’t mind if it is sweet – the vanillas in my collection are tocade, un bois vanille.

    Thanks in advance! December 21, 2012 at 3:06pm Reply

    • Cynthia: Well its not Chocolate Mint but I am kind of addicted to Dirty perfume by LUSH. Its minty… December 21, 2012 at 4:04pm Reply

    • Elisa: You need A*Men!! Smells like patchouli and mint chocolate chip ice cream. December 21, 2012 at 5:07pm Reply

      • Az: Interesting. I do love angel le gout. Would a*men or a*men le gout be better? December 21, 2012 at 7:22pm Reply

        • Cornelia Blimber: I think “a*men”–”a*men le goût” has a strong chilipepper note. December 22, 2012 at 4:08am Reply

    • RVB: I second Elisa’s recommendation of the original A*Men-it’s as close to chocolate mint heaven as you’re going to get.The patchouli and tar notes give it a strong earthy base that enables the chocolate and mint to hang around for ever.It’s a divine gourmand December 22, 2012 at 1:18am Reply

  • Wesley Parker: Hello all, I’m looking for a feminine lavender. Can you help me find one? I’m looking for a daytime scent.

    I tried SL’s Gris Clair – and it was gorgeous, but the drydown was too masculine for me. Also tried SL’s Encens et Lavande, it was nice but not as lovely as Gris Clair – and once again the drydown was a little too masculine.

    For reference, some scents I like and own are: FM L’Eau d’Hiver, Hermes Rose Ikebana, L’ostmarch Ael-Mat, PdN Les Temps d’une Fete, Chanel Bel Respiro.

    I seem to gravitate to a lot of green scents and transparent florals. Other notes I enjoy: sparkling citrus, honey, orange blossom, sandalwood/woods, incense.

    (BTW – I have a bottle of L’Artisan Seville A L’Aube – and I do really like the sparkling opening and the lavender & incense & orange blossom notes – but on me the sweet and sensual heart notes are ENORMOUS. Very intense. I pretty much wear it only on hot, sultry nights. So I’m looking for something less sweet/sultry. More for day wear.) December 21, 2012 at 3:48pm Reply

    • Allison: I don’t know how hard it is to find, but Caron has a scent called Les Plus Belles Lavandes de Caron. It’s an eau de cologne, starts out strong and then dries down to a very lovely warm scent. I think it’s appropriate for anywhere, anytime! I think the notes are lavender, vanilla, amber, and musk. December 21, 2012 at 3:58pm Reply

      • Austenfan: I love Les Plus Belles Lavandes, I got my bottle 2 years ago. December 23, 2012 at 11:46am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: Caron Pour un Homme is the best lavender you can find (in my opinion). Forget about the name: it is soft and gentle, and the drydown is not manly! Or else perhaps A Taste of Heaven by Kilian (very expensive). December 21, 2012 at 4:06pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Parfum de Nicolai L’Eau Chic, Byredo Green, You might like Diptique Volutes – try both the edp and edt December 21, 2012 at 4:11pm Reply

    • nikki: I second Pour un homme de Caron and suggest Jicky by Guerlain, lovely lavender and fougere. December 21, 2012 at 4:45pm Reply

    • nan: I’d suggest Roxana Villa (Illuminated Perfumes) Vera either in solid or liquid formulation. The liquid has a bit more orange blossom in it, but the solid is a tad sweeter. They’re both lovely. December 21, 2012 at 5:19pm Reply

    • Undina: Have you tried Brin de Réglisse by Hermes? December 21, 2012 at 6:42pm Reply

    • Poodle: I would say give Field Notes from Paris by Ineke a try. It has a lavender note. I think it’s great on a man or a woman. I don’t find it too masculine like some lavenders but it’s not too flowery and feminine either. December 21, 2012 at 8:51pm Reply

    • Nina Z: Eau Illuminee by Parfums Delrae is a sparkling, slightly sweet lavender citrus perfume that is supposed to smell like the Northern California landscape. I don’t know that it does (I live there) but it is definitely very pretty and more feminine that most other lavenders. I love Serge Lutens Encens et Lavande (lavender and incense) but that is drier and might read as more masculine. Very calming scent, though. December 21, 2012 at 8:52pm Reply

    • Em: Tauer’s ReverieAu Jardin isn’t the typical lavender, but it is the only one I can wear — it is a true, almost green, lavender plant scent. December 21, 2012 at 10:32pm Reply

      • Ingeborg: I second Reverie au Jardin. It is rather complex and a little goes a long way. December 22, 2012 at 5:31am Reply

        • Julie Ellen: I put in a third for Reverie au Jardin….you may think that is is a bit cool and removed, but it remains fresh and clean throughout. I get lots of complements on this one. December 22, 2012 at 1:18pm Reply

    • Ferris: Caron Pour Homme is a fantastic lavender scent. Fresh lavender coupled with a touch of creamy vanilla and musk. You can’t get any better, and it is definitely unisex. December 22, 2012 at 6:33am Reply

    • Maggie: Right up at the high, high end of the price spectrum but lovely, Vero Profumo Kiki, esp. the extrait. December 22, 2012 at 7:51pm Reply

    • hongkongmom: penhalogins lavandula… December 23, 2012 at 3:45am Reply

    • Austenfan: I adore lavender so would love to recommend some of my own favourites:
      I can’t recommend Caron’s Pour un Homme enough. Yes it is officially a masculine but so easily worn by women.
      Parfums de Nicolaï’s Pour Homme (discontinued but you might get lucky on ebay or get a sample from one of the sample places.) This is a great review: https://boisdejasmin.com/2005/11/fragrance_revie_20.html
      Nicolaï’s Maharadjah is worth trying as well.
      Kiki, Vero Profumo, expensive but worth it. She has a lovely affordable sample set. Kiki exists in both an extrait and EdP.
      The By Kilian A Taste of Heaven is good but imho not better than the Caron and much more expensive.
      Jicky and L’Eau du Coq by Guerlain
      Histoires de Parfums 1725 a wonderful anisic lavender drying down all soft and ambery December 23, 2012 at 11:58am Reply

      • Austenfan: Oh, and I forget Caldey Island’s Lavender, cheap but highly recommended! December 23, 2012 at 12:01pm Reply

        • nikki: austenfan, where can I buy that one, please? December 23, 2012 at 12:22pm Reply

    • Wesley Parker: Thank you all for these wonderful recommendations! My sample cart overfloweth 🙂

      I have tried Jicky (really like the opening, but it’s a little musty or something for me in the drydown – can’t quite describe; but something fails for me there) – And I also did not fancy Caldey Island when I tried it. In fact, was so baffled by LT’s rave upon sniffing, that I wondered if my sample was off. I was intrigued by Parfums Delrae’s Eau Illuminee, because I spent 15 years living in San Francisco – so I wanted to smell like the air as advertised, lol! But I thought it smelled more French than Californian 😉 California smells wilder, looser, more rustic than Eau Illuminee – which nevertheless is a fine scent. EI just didn’t move me enough.

      Anyhow – thank you all! I am excited 😀 I have smelled lots of fresh lavender, and also lots of what I would call “Spa lavender” – and always love it even when it’s in a humble soap or bath product. So I’ve been surprised that it’s hard to find a good FEMININE lavender in a perfume. I just LOVE it in the opening of Gris Clair – it smells exactly right – but then somehow the base goes all barbershop on my skin and I have no idea why that is.

      Thank you again 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 4:03pm Reply

      • erry: I think you can also try Tom Ford Lavender Palm. I don’t usually care for lavender but when I tried it last month I like it and almost bought it (but the price had put me down). It is not really feminine like Chanel no 5 or the like but feminine enough for a lavender perfume. On me it smells like lavender combine with sunburned palm leaves. I also smell almond, vetiver and some floral. I tried it side by side with Tom Ford Violet Blond and the dry down of VB was more masculine than LP. It’s really worth a try. December 25, 2012 at 10:31pm Reply

    • minette: caron’s pour un homme – lavender with vanilla and more lavender and vanilla. really great stuff and totally fine on women. and on bed linens, where it smells amazing and will give you sweet dreams.

      you can usually find it on discount sites. great stuff. December 23, 2012 at 7:33pm Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: Wesley, maybe good old Yardley English Lavender! December 24, 2012 at 4:50am Reply

  • dml: Dear all,
    I am looking for a female perfume with geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) scent. I love the scent of geranium but couldn’t find a perfume with it. I am currently using Un Lys and Feminite de Bois of Serge Lutens.
    I would appreciate your suggestions. December 21, 2012 at 3:49pm Reply

    • nikki: Paris by YSL has a little geranium in it….also Nikki de Saint Phalle has some geranium. December 21, 2012 at 4:46pm Reply

      • dml: Thank you for the recommendations. Both are unknown to me. I found them on fragrantica but there geranium isn’t mentioned. I’ll have to sniff them. December 21, 2012 at 5:07pm Reply

    • Elisa: I like Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon. It’s a very rich rosy geranium. December 21, 2012 at 5:08pm Reply

      • dml: Thank you. I’m going to try it. December 21, 2012 at 5:31pm Reply

    • Dominic: Dioressence contains geranium. From what I read it’s worth to get the older version of it. December 21, 2012 at 7:00pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Parfums de Nicolai L’eau Chic has geranium December 21, 2012 at 7:53pm Reply

      • Anne: PdN’s Patchouli Intense also has geranium (and I actually don’t get much patch from it) – it’s my latest obsession, all I want to wear now that it’s officially winter. December 22, 2012 at 10:39am Reply

    • Em: Have you smelled Geranium Pour Monsieur? It isn’t as masculine as its name suggests, though it has a minty twist. December 21, 2012 at 10:30pm Reply

    • RVB: Although it’s marketed to men Frederic Malle’s Geranium pour Monsieur has a beautiful geranium note and rhodinol(an alcohol that occurs naturally in geranium) combined with mint,cinnamon,cloves,sandalwood,vanilla,benzoin, and a touch of incense.It’s a fresh green herbaceous geranium scent beautifully melded with the incense and sweeter base notes.In my opinion it’s completely unisex.The mint can be a little strong in the beginning so be patient for the drydown December 22, 2012 at 1:14am Reply

    • Annemarie: Corps & Ames by Parfumerie Generale is a (beautiful) chypre with geranium and I was told that the new Corps et Ames Apaisante has an even stronger geranium note. December 22, 2012 at 7:21am Reply

    • Daisy: Have you tried Tardes from Carner Barcelona? That has a beautiful geranium note . . . December 22, 2012 at 5:35pm Reply

    • hongkongmom: am not sure if it has geranium as a note but the perfume itself reminds me of it.le feu d’issy light December 23, 2012 at 3:46am Reply

  • Lucas: Does anyone know a perfume that would have a similar sweet cloves note as the one in Sienna Musk from Sonoma Scent Studio. I love the way it smells in this perfume, sweet and light spicy at the same time. I’m thinking about buying it but SSS is not available in Poland and shipping directly from Laurie is expensive.

    If you don’t have any ideas I would also like to hear what perfume (more masculine in style) with cinnamon (not too spicy again) can you recommend? December 21, 2012 at 4:14pm Reply

    • Shiloh: Lucas,
      I really like Shalimar for spicy. I know it’s marketed more towards women, but I believe that it would smell incredible on a man. Also, on a really affordable end, I would look into the Hugo Boss line. It smells spicy and fantastic. Affordable and worth a sniff. December 21, 2012 at 4:34pm Reply

      • Lucas: I don’t like classic Shalimar but I like some Shalimar Parfum Initial from time to time. December 21, 2012 at 4:42pm Reply

        • Ferris: I’ve never tried Shalimar, is it not spicy enough? This is one I have to sample soon. December 22, 2012 at 6:55am Reply

    • Elisa: Donna Karan Black Cashmere has a great, relatively subtle clove note. December 21, 2012 at 5:09pm Reply

    • George: Egoiste used to be superbly cinnamony but I smelled it again today and to my nose the note had virtually all gone: it smells more like a less expensive version of No.18- ambrette musk and rose, with a much reduced spiciness. Is it my nose, or has the cinnamon note been greatly reduced? If the cinnamon is still there and its my nose that is faulty, you might still want to try this. December 21, 2012 at 5:43pm Reply

      • Lucas: I tried Egoiste and we didn’t like each other. December 22, 2012 at 5:42am Reply

    • Omega: Perhaps Rousse by SL? For cinnamon and cloves? December 21, 2012 at 6:00pm Reply

      • Lucas: I was thinking about it too, but I can’t find it anywhere locally December 22, 2012 at 5:42am Reply

        • George: It has travelled to the palais royale collection………….so it will be the Paris shop or, I think, Barneys in the U.S? It was a great, soft and full clovey cinnamon bubblegum scent. I’d try and get a sample before buying though as the last time I smelled this it was great, but because of the notes, i fear it may have fallen victim to IFRA. Musc ravageur also had one of the best opening’s of any perfumes- up there with 31Rue Cambon’s iris and peppers- which was very cinnamony. Noir Epices also had a great clovey opening, when I last smelled it. But, with any perfume with cinnamon and clove notes, I would make sure you smell an up to date sample before purchasing, because of new lower levels of allowed percentages, imposed in 2010 on pre-existing perfumes. December 22, 2012 at 6:35am Reply

          • Lucas: I’m not in France or US so I have no access to try Rousse. I’m familar with 31 Rue Cambon which I like and I will order a sample of Musc Ravageur in early January December 22, 2012 at 6:44am Reply

    • RVB: For a clove note many of the perfumes of Slumberhouse feature it as a kind of house note(even though it may not be listed)Jeke has a beautiful smoky clove note.As for cinnamon Andy Tauer’s Une Rose Chypree has a beautiful cinnamon note wrapped in the dusky rose and it’s definitely unisex.Also Anima Dulcis by Arquiste has a note of cinnamon expertly blended with a chili infusion ,a bitter dark cocoa and an animalic floral undertone.I highly recommend it.And if a somewhat animalic musk is your thing Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle has a beautiful clove and cinnamon note that melds with the top notes of bergamot and lavender and the base of vanilla and musk. December 21, 2012 at 6:03pm Reply

      • Lucas: Musc Ravageur sounds like something I need to sample December 22, 2012 at 5:43am Reply

        • Daisy: Lucas,

          I should have known! I would have sent one along too . . . December 22, 2012 at 5:36pm Reply

          • Lucas: No problem Daisy. You already did great sending me those two samples from Atelier Cologne (didn’t arrive yet)
            Retailer that carries FM line in Poland sells 1ml samples for 1,5€ so it’s pretty cheap 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 5:21am Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: I really like Comme des Garcons Red Series Carnation. December 21, 2012 at 8:03pm Reply

      • Lucas: Will check that out December 22, 2012 at 5:43am Reply

    • Nikki: Spellbound by Estee lauder is all cloves….amazing. December 21, 2012 at 8:47pm Reply

    • Nina Z: One of my favorite spicy scents that definitely has cinnamon and probably also has clove is Eau Lente by Diptyque. And this one would definitely be more masculine in style. As a bonus, I find it both warming and comforting. December 21, 2012 at 8:58pm Reply

      • Lucas: I think I’m able to get a sample locally December 22, 2012 at 5:45am Reply

    • Em: My go-to spicy-like scent is L’Artisan’s Tea for Two, which has a twisted sort of clovey-anise streak through it. SL Chypre Rouge might be worth smelling as long as you’re smelling Rousse. December 21, 2012 at 10:29pm Reply

      • Lucas: T4T is not my style, Chypre Rouge was better but still not IT December 22, 2012 at 5:45am Reply

    • LCT: Honore de Pres Chaman’s Party is clove-tastic! December 22, 2012 at 12:14am Reply

    • Ferris: Hello Lucas, Kouros (original white bottle) has a potent clove note that begs to be reckoned with. Estee Lauder has one with a cinnamon note that will gas you out ( LOL) But if you want cinnamon that’s the one. It’s called Cinnabar. December 22, 2012 at 6:53am Reply

      • Lucas: I’ve heard of cinnabar but never tried it December 22, 2012 at 8:01am Reply

    • Annikky: I live in Estonia and feel your pain, Lucas. That said – considering how affordable SSS scents are, I would stick with Sienna Musk and order the travel spray, I don’t think there is abetter dal out there. And get some samples as well, while you’re at it:) I know this is not the recommendation you were looking for, but I love SSS and really feel that if you have found a favourite, you should get it.

      Actually, come to think of it – I can include Sienna Musk in my next order and ship it over to Poland, if you like. December 22, 2012 at 7:55am Reply

      • Annikky: *a better deal. Sorry, it’s not me, it’s the iPad. December 22, 2012 at 7:57am Reply

      • Lucas: I know Suendhaft in Germany has some SSS but not the entire range. I’m thinking about organizing a group shopping at Sonoma Scent Studio. I know that it has been done once at Polish Perfume Split Board. I’m a member there too. One person organized the shopping so everyone who wanted a bottle or sample could sign up and then everyone paid for their bottle/samle + part of a shipping costs. December 22, 2012 at 8:04am Reply

      • Lucas: And thanks for your lovely idea of shipping the bottle to me. That was sweet. I’m not spending any more money on perfume until my birthday in February 😉 December 22, 2012 at 8:05am Reply

    • Austenfan: The original Comme des Garçons? December 23, 2012 at 12:04pm Reply

    • Lynne Marie: I totally second the recommendation of Black Cashmere – very nice clove. Another one you might want to try is Cadjmere by Parfumerie Generale – it turns very clove-like on me. December 23, 2012 at 12:22pm Reply

    • minette: i don’t know that perfume, but caron poivre has a great clove note in it. not sure if they have changed it much – keep hearing the house has messed up its classics. but i would give that one a try. December 23, 2012 at 7:35pm Reply

  • Omega: I like oakmoss and love Bottega Veneta and Jasmin and White Moss by EL, any other gorgeous oakmoss scents you would recommend?
    Not too musky, with no tuberose or gardenia? December 21, 2012 at 5:53pm Reply

    • silverdust: I’m not a fan of the reformulated No. 19, but if you could get your hands on some vintage juice, oakmoss supreme! December 21, 2012 at 8:18pm Reply

    • Nina Z: Be on the lookout for those green chypres of the past (vintage versions, please), such as Ma Griffe, Cabochard, Givenchy III, Coty Chypre. Have I missed any important ones other chypre lovers?

      If you are patient, you will be able to find these vintage fragrances for less than the price of a new version (but definitely be patient). December 21, 2012 at 9:03pm Reply

      • Solanace: PdN Le temps d’une fete December 23, 2012 at 6:10am Reply

    • annemariec: Niki de Saint Phalle – very oakmossy. Easy to find online, and not expensive. Or you could try Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Vert Pour Madame. A modern green chypre. December 22, 2012 at 1:22am Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: You could also try Y (YstL) or Silences (Jacomo). December 22, 2012 at 4:13am Reply

      • nikki: I second Niki de St Phalle, great and under-rated perfume in the most gorgeous blue bottle with colorful snakes embracing each other…a masterpiece and so inexpensive! December 22, 2012 at 11:00am Reply

        • Solanace: Hummm. Good to know. December 23, 2012 at 6:11am Reply

    • Anat13: Olympic Orchids Ballets Rouges is a beautiful oakmoss and rose: http://www.orchidscents.com/productinfo_v3.aspx?productid=BALR-02 December 22, 2012 at 10:37am Reply

    • Daisy: Hi Omega,

      You have already tried Mitsouko EdP, right? Very oakmossy. December 22, 2012 at 5:38pm Reply

  • Dominic: I love cinnamon and i love Dioressence. I wonder if there’s any fragrance similar to the one? On case i didn’t manage to put my hands on vintage version.
    I also love Dior Addict with its smoky sexy effect on the skin. I was reformulated last time. Does any one know something getting close to that one? Big thanks:-) December 21, 2012 at 7:05pm Reply

    • annemariec: Andy Tauer’s Une Rose Chypree and Eau Epices use cinnamon.

      I love vintage Dioressence. Surrender to Chance sell vintage in very good condition. That’s what I use. December 22, 2012 at 1:32am Reply

    • Lynne Marie: Cimabue by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz is a lovely cinnamon. I like layering it with Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille. December 23, 2012 at 12:25pm Reply

  • Margot: I’m looking for a perfume.

    I love kyara (Japanese agarwood/oud), but really can’t afford to drop $100 plus for perfume, alas! Any suggestions?
    In terms of other fragrances, in the past I’ve worn and loved Paloma Picasso’s Mon Parfum and (the original) Rive Gauche. I’ve also used Lisa Hoffman’s “Japanese Agarwood”…
    Rive Gauche was my first “signature” scent, starting eons ago in grad school, and if they hadn’t changed it I’d probably still be swearing it…l
    Oh, and I am allergic to orris root. December 21, 2012 at 9:19pm Reply

    • Victoria: I also love kyara, and whenever I crave something like that I reach for Comme des Garcons Kyoto, which is based on Japanese incense. I just recommended Diptyque Tam Dao to someone else, but I think that it might fit your tastes. It’s dry, woody, elegant and understated. December 23, 2012 at 6:54am Reply

      • Margot: Oh, thank you –I’ll try them out. December 24, 2012 at 4:38pm Reply

  • Nikki: There was a French perfume called Vanilla Nutmeg which I loved, but have not been able to find again. It is the nutmeg I really like. Also, while in Apt, Provence, I found a shop with lavender/thyme/honey perfume and I am still trying to find something similar, especially the thyme lavender note. Any suggestions? Thank you! December 21, 2012 at 10:01pm Reply

    • RVB: Hi Nikki-try Histoiries de Parfums 1828-it’s a beautiful aromatic perfume with a pronounced nutmeg note.As for lavender and thyme try 4711 Acqua Colonia Lavender Thyme perfume December 22, 2012 at 12:59am Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: Difficult question, Nikki. Hard to find, I guess. Perhaps you can find thyme and lavender in Héritage, Guerlain. December 22, 2012 at 4:17am Reply

        • nikki: Will try Heritage, thank you Cornelia! December 22, 2012 at 11:02am Reply

      • nikki: Thank you! Do you mean 4711 from Cologne, the original?

        RVB, thanks for the suggestion, I have not tried the other line, yet, will do! December 22, 2012 at 11:02am Reply

        • RVB: It’s a different perfume by the same company(4711)- specifically a lavender and thyme perfume December 22, 2012 at 11:13pm Reply

          • nikki: Great RVB, thanks for the clarification! December 23, 2012 at 12:25pm Reply

    • Charlotte: Thats so funny, i have a vanilla- Nutmeg body butter that I treat myself with on special occasions, as to keep it around a little longer. Never smelled something like it and really love it. So Ill just steal your recommendations 🙂 December 26, 2012 at 3:31am Reply

  • Em: I’m looking for some suggestions for my mom. She’s a devoted Beautiful wearer, and wore No5 EDC before that (pre-1980s). But lately she’s shown signs of looking around and possibly being open to other scents to add to her wardrobe.

    She says she likes some white flowers (gardenia especially), but not “musk” (by which I think she means heavy, dense compositions). She wore Youth Dew briefly as a very young woman, but wouldn’t touch it now. Shalimar is “old lady,” and she is powerfully moved (near to tears) at the smell of lily of the valley, which reminds her of her mom (I’m not sure what my grandma wore — vintage Diorissimo was close, and might have been it) She finds herbal/mint “masculine” (and thus won’t wear it)

    She no longer likes No5 to wear, liked Jennifer Anniston and Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia when we recently went sniffing about, but something about Michael Kors was “off” for her. The Jardins didn’t really register, she did like the open of Aqua Allegoria Pampeluneon strip. She reacted surprisingly well to Chanel Beige (which I wear).

    So I’m hoping to find something that is a quiet, ladylike close-to-skin light floral to test with her. I have a few in my collection, but I tend to “weird” in my own tastes, so I’m trying not to freak her out! December 21, 2012 at 10:25pm Reply

    • LCT: Maybe L’Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillons? Serge Lutens A La Nuit is beautiful if she likes Jasmine. December 22, 2012 at 12:31am Reply

    • annemariec: How about Sonoma Scent Studio’s Nostalgie? A floral aldehydic perfume that reminds me of No 5, Beautiful and (to a lesser extent) Joy. It has a lovely sandalwood base. It is gentle and ladylike without being dated. Gorgeous! December 22, 2012 at 1:36am Reply

    • RVB: Some of the Ormonde Jayne perfumes for women are beautiful light florals.They all are beautifully blended and are very classy-not overpowering at all.Osmanthus is an effervescent citrusy floral-Frangipani is a beautiful tropical flower scent-Sampaquita is a fruity floral based on Indian Jasmine-Champaca is an unusual scent with notes of green tea and basmati rice-and Tiare is a beautiful gardenia based scent.She has other heavier orientals as well.You can only buy them via her boutique in London but she has a great sample program with samples of all her scents with free shipping worldwide.I highly recommend them.Victoria has reviewed quite a few of them here December 22, 2012 at 2:18am Reply

      • Annikky: I agree completely. December 22, 2012 at 9:34am Reply

    • Lucas: How about Chanel Gardenia? December 22, 2012 at 5:47am Reply

    • Annikky: Sampling the Chanel Exclusifs sounds like a plan to me. And in a similar vein, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire has both gardenia (Gardenia Petale) and lily of the valley (Muguet Blanc). They are not cheap, but not outrageous either by niche standards and I find them beautiful. The other four in the collection are also nice (I love Bois d’Iris) but probably less to your mother’s taste. December 22, 2012 at 8:09am Reply

    • Anat13: Tauer Carillon pour un Ange is an absolutely lily of the valley. I’ll second the Ormonde Jayne florals as well–Frangipani is my favorite. December 22, 2012 at 10:40am Reply

      • Anat13: I meant to say absolutely lovely! December 22, 2012 at 11:09am Reply

    • Raluca: How about Un Matin D’Orage by Annick Goutal. I love white flowers and own this one. Carnal Flower and Nuit de Tubereuse are also very nice. December 22, 2012 at 11:51am Reply

    • Emily: Addendum (and many thanks to those who’ve replied!):

      I pulled out my kit this morning, and tested a few things I had on hand:

      La Haie Fleurie du Hameau had a licorice note that put her off, Vintage No22 was too powdery for her, and Fracas just too big. Caron Infini was “too green, too chlorphyll” She’s smelled Carnal Flower before, and I think it is REALLY too big for her taste.

      Some near-hits were La Chasse Aux Papillons and Annick Goutal Passion, but not clear winners. She did say that she likes blended (I’d say abstract) florals rather than soliflores — if she can pick out a single flower, it falls flat for her.

      As an experiment (though obviously not white-florals) I wafted YOSH Sottile at her (too clearly “rose” and nothing else) and Diptyque Oyedo (citrus is lovely to her, but not for wearing: smelt alone it says “cleaning solution” to her) December 22, 2012 at 12:19pm Reply

      • minette: goutal songes
        goutal ninfeo mio
        van cleef first
        creed fantasia de fleurs, 2000 flowers

        carnal flower dries down to a very tame scent on some – i would wear it if it stayed “big” but it gets so tame on my skin, it’s nice but not edgy. so, give it a shot and let it stay on long enough to see what it does on her skin. it’s lovely on lots of people. December 23, 2012 at 7:43pm Reply

    • Julie Ellen: Tauer again–his Carillon pour une Ange is a wonderful, lady-like lily of the valley, but modern at the same time. Give it a try! December 22, 2012 at 1:21pm Reply

    • Austenfan: I second the Ormonde Jaynes. Another line I would recommend is the French Divine. They too have a good sample program and good customer service. They have four feminine perfumes.
      If she likes PCTG she might also like Goutal’s Un Matin d’Orage. December 22, 2012 at 3:11pm Reply

    • Daisy: Hi Em,

      Has your mother tried Marc Jacobs Woman? That might work for her. December 22, 2012 at 5:39pm Reply

    • hongkongmom: Andy Tauers Miriam December 23, 2012 at 3:51am Reply

    • hajusuuri: Em – how about Ineke Hothouse Flowers? I describe it as Carnal Flower’s little sister. It is an understated (in a very good way) BWF.

      I also second the suggestion of Chanel Gardenia – it is smooth and just absolutely lovely. December 23, 2012 at 3:16pm Reply

  • Lorna: Dear all

    I’m getting married in a couple of months time in a Chinese garden in Sydney and am looking for a suitable new perfume. It will be quite a simple affair with a small family gathering. I am after a fragrance that is inspired by the setting or perhaps the 20s style white flapper dress I will be wearing. My current fragrance loves include Carnal Flower, Eau Premiere, Bulgari Femme and Manoumalia but I want something nem Also becoming interested in fragrances with tea notes though I have none in my collection. Dying to hear your suggestions! December 22, 2012 at 12:01am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: A chinese garden….I would say: Osmanthus, by The Different Company. Beautiful with a white dress. December 22, 2012 at 7:09am Reply

      • Lorna: Thanks – I bought Osmanthus in a sale a few years ago and haven’t given it much attention. I think that is a great suggestion. I’ll revisit it! December 22, 2012 at 3:31pm Reply

      • D: For a beautiful and simple tea scent, I would try BVLGARI geen the extreme.

        You might also try a scent that dates back to the 20’s. Channel No. 5 would be an iconic choice. If the ceremony is in the evening, I would wear the L’Heure Bleu December 24, 2012 at 11:22am Reply

      • Connie L Hill: What about Chinatown by Bond? December 25, 2012 at 12:53pm Reply

    • FearsMice: Hope it’s okay to suggest this. Perfume Posse just did a guide to tea scents, so you might like to read through it: http://perfumeposse.com/2012/12/17/tea-perfumes-comphrensive-guide-to-tea-perfume/.

      Happy Wedding Day! December 22, 2012 at 7:12am Reply

    • nikki: Kashaya by Kenzo is so lovely….and the bottle and packaging are really wonderful, too. December 22, 2012 at 11:04am Reply

    • Austenfan: Have you ever tried Un Matin d’Orage by Goutal? If you like CF you might also like this.
      Tea scents I would suggest are: Thé pour un été by L’Artisan, Tea for Two also an Artisan. Eau parfumée au thé vert, Bvlgari. The best Lapsang scent is the discontinued Eau du Fier by Goutal. December 22, 2012 at 2:52pm Reply

      • Lorna: Thanks, Un Matin d’Orage certainly sounds like it would appeal to me. With regards to your tea suggestions, what would you say is the most ‘dressy’ of these scents? December 22, 2012 at 11:32pm Reply

        • Austenfan: That is not so easy as all 3 of them fall in the casual but elegant category.
          As Eau du Fier has the strongest presence it might be considered as one of the dressiest. It will be a nightmare to find though. It has been discontinued for a while. I happen to be wearing it today and it hits the spot quite beautifully.

          Tea scents I have never smelled but have heard good things about are: Osmanthe Yunnan by Hermès and Comme des Garçons’ Tea.
          Tommy Girl is supposed to contain tea as a note; I have never been able to make it out though. December 23, 2012 at 11:43am Reply

    • Patricia R.: For Tea try Providence Perfume Osmanthus Oolong. For a flapper dress I’d wear L’Agent. December 22, 2012 at 5:09pm Reply

      • Lorna: Thanks Patricia -, Osmanthus Oolong sound like it might just fit the bill. I”m going to order a sample. December 23, 2012 at 4:29pm Reply

    • Nina Z: Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan is a beautiful tea scent that would be very refreshing in the warmer months and would fit with the Chinese garden theme. Yunnan is one of the very best Chinese teas (my favorite). For your twenties style dress, I’d go in another direction: a Guerlain classic, like L’Heure Bleue or Shalimar. December 22, 2012 at 5:53pm Reply

    • hongkongmom: Congrats
      Jacomo no 8 has great tea notes..if it is summertime bulgari greentea. December 23, 2012 at 3:53am Reply

    • Connie L Hill: I replied below, here again:

      Chinatown by Bond. maybe blended with Bond Highline? December 25, 2012 at 12:55pm Reply

  • LCT: What are the best coffee scents? December 22, 2012 at 12:17am Reply

    • RVB: A*Men by Thierry Mugler and most of the flankers have a pronounced coffee note.New Haarlem by Bond No.9 has a beautiful coffee note combined with lavender and bergamot with a base of amber ,vanilla,and tonka bean.And probably the most realistic coffee note you will find is in DSH perfumes Cafe Noir a perfume that seamlessly combines spice,floral,wood and rein notes on a base of black coffee December 22, 2012 at 2:09am Reply

      • LCT: Thank you! I will seek those out. December 22, 2012 at 9:42am Reply

    • Lucas: Dior Eau Noire smells like espresso with cumin. December 22, 2012 at 5:47am Reply

    • Victoria: New Haarlem by Bond No.9 and AMen were already mentioned, so I will add Tom Ford Cafe Rose, my latest discovery. December 23, 2012 at 6:46am Reply

  • rhodesianridgeback: Chanel 19, Bellodgia, Calandre, . Would like to try something Oriental. At Christmas I wear Salvadore Dali and the newest perfume I have loved is Gucci Rush, the original one. I would like something with a Turquoise feel to it. December 22, 2012 at 12:55am Reply

    • Bilanxa: I think Herms Eau des Merveilles would fit the bill for a turquoise feel and respect your current attraction to the dry green florals listed. December 23, 2012 at 11:49am Reply

      • Bilanxa: Forgot to mention that the amber in Eau des Merveilles gives it an Oriental feel, at least to me. December 23, 2012 at 12:01pm Reply

  • Tru: Over the last few years I have engaged in perfumery serial monogamy..staying with one scent through an entire season. Now, however, I would really like to expand and explore my fragrance knowledge, awareness, and wardrobe. Can you recommend scents that I could layer, moving from a more floral, possibly whimsical (although if not, then at least light) daytime scent with low sillage that I could cover toward the evening with a higher sillage oriental floral? I currently am wearing Prada Infusion d’Iris, Adrienne Vittadini, an Coco Mademoiselle depending on the day’s events. And, I would really love an idea or two for something different and intoxicating. December 22, 2012 at 1:23am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: Maybe Après L’Ondée for daytime and L’Heure Bleue in the evening. Or ALO and Insolence. If you buy only two perfumes, you could perhaps afford L’Heure de Nuit (all by Guerlain). Or Shalimar L’Initial/Shalimar. Or Hiris (light, daytime, Hermès) and L’Heure Bleue. Or a light magnolia, say Wanted (H.Rubinstein) and L’Instant de Guerlain. There are many possibilities if you think about it and sniff around a lot! December 22, 2012 at 4:35am Reply

      • Tru: Thank you for these recommendations. I am definitely starting to “sniff around” but there are so many options. I am going to start with these. Truly appreciate it. December 22, 2012 at 11:06am Reply

        • Cornelia Blimber: You could also try Colonia Intensa (Acqua di Parma) as a daytime perfume, and for the evening layer it with Ivoire (Balmain) . but that is not oriental. Or daytime Acqua Allegoria Flora Nymphea (Guerlain) with Idylle or (my favorite)Idylle Eau Sublime. But that is floral… December 22, 2012 at 4:17pm Reply

          • Tru: I am going to try them all! Thank you. December 22, 2012 at 10:33pm Reply

  • Court: A more…refined version of Kate Walsh’s Boyfriend December 22, 2012 at 3:09am Reply

    • Maggie: Tom Ford Black Orchid December 22, 2012 at 8:19pm Reply

  • Edward: I am in search of a good floral+gourmand perfume. The food aspect is not the “fruity” type but more of the creme brulee, marzipan type. It must have a moderate sillage and must smell sophisticated and exquisite. I do not mind wearing perfumes geared towards women. Any recommendations? December 22, 2012 at 4:33am Reply

    • Ferris: How about Black Orchid by Tom Ford? It is a jammy, gourmand with black orchid, chocolate, incense, vanilla, and patchouli. It has excellent silage and the longevity is tremendous.A little goes a long way. You may also want to try Noir de Noir,Tom Ford Private Blends Collection, which is a darker version of Black Orchid geared towards men. December 22, 2012 at 6:28am Reply

      • Edward: Thanks, Ferris. I will check on Black Orchid by TF. I will also check another TF which might fit the bill, the Black Orchid Voleur something. I would be very happy if any of these 2 satisfies my yearning. 😉 December 22, 2012 at 11:45pm Reply

        • Ferris: I tried Voile de Fleur and I did not like it. To me it a gutted version of the original Black Orchid. They cut out a lot of the notes that make the original so incredible. For instance they added a bunch of spicy white florals that make it unbearable. The silage and projection are still massive so be careful with the trigger. Be forewarned, if you are expecting to be wowed, you will be disappointed, unless you like that type of scent. December 23, 2012 at 12:28am Reply

          • Edward: Yes that’s it! Voile de Fleur. What was I thinking when I wrote Voleur? Vo+fleur? 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 4:48am Reply

    • George: Manoumalia by Les Nez. This really is a floral, but when I smell it I get a purply gourmandishness fighting and interlocking with a greeny floral. It’s very perplexing and interesting. I’d wear it and I am also a dude. December 22, 2012 at 7:13am Reply

      • George: Oh (and though it’s completely different to Manoumalia) Bois Des Iles, but then again everyone should smell Bois Des Iles- a delicious, sophisticated, woody and dessert-like fragrance given body with florals, that also gets full marks for your required level of sillage, sophistication and exquisiteness. December 22, 2012 at 7:29am Reply

      • Edward: Manoumalia sounds interesting. I just hope it has enough of that gourmand note to balance the floral/green. Also, I do not think it is available here in Riyadh where I am based. Will check it in Dubai in one of my visits to UAE. December 22, 2012 at 11:47pm Reply

    • nikki: Laura Mercier’s perfume and cream line is amazing: try Figueur or Vanille Gourmande or even Pistachio… December 22, 2012 at 11:05am Reply

      • Connie L Hill: OMG! I agree, those Laura Mercier body creams are all you need! FABo! December 25, 2012 at 12:46pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Have you tried Keiko Mecheri Gourmandises or Loukhoum? December 22, 2012 at 12:58pm Reply

    • RVB: Anima Dulcis by Arquiste is a delicious bitter cocoa gourmand perfume.Although florals are not listed it definitely has an animalic floral undertone.It’s very classy and unique with a nice silage December 22, 2012 at 11:17pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Parfumerie Generale Brulure de Rose December 24, 2012 at 1:04pm Reply

    • Rose D: I like Ormonde Jayne Taif. The spiced roses are very noticeable and the “date” note is very abstract, not edible at all! It might be too feminine for most men: but the fragrance is so well-crafted that it is worth trying. December 24, 2012 at 5:48pm Reply

  • Ferris: I keep hearing about idolic floral fragrances that smell skanky. I am guessing they are referring to scents that contain jasmine or other florals. I would like to smell one of these. Can anyone give me any suggestions of scents to sample? December 22, 2012 at 6:23am Reply

    • Ada: Hi! I would recommend for you to try Bal à Versailles by Jean Desprez. It is an indolic orange blossom with “skankiness” in it that you might find interesting. December 22, 2012 at 11:15am Reply

    • Bela: SL A la Nuit is a very indolic jasmine – to my nose anyway. December 22, 2012 at 1:38pm Reply

      • Ferris: Oh really? I thought Nuit was a very tame and refined ( goody twoshoes) jasmine fragrance. I will definitely check it out on my next sample order from the perfumed court. I’m still waiting for 10 samples to come so I can sniff away.LOL Its so exciting, almost like waiting on Santa to bring Xmas gifts. Thanks for the suggestion! December 23, 2012 at 12:38am Reply

    • Victoria: Indoles don’t smell skanky, which is why when you smell a very indolic jasmine like A La Nuit, it doesn’t come across that way. Indoles at strong concentrations smell like moth balls, but at low dilutions (as they are usually used in perfumes), they smell well… jasmine like, floral and rich.

      If you want to smell indoles, try to find orange blossom absolute. That smells even more indolic to me than jasmine.

      For a skanky floral, you should try Manoumalia by Les Nez, Rubj by Vero Profumo or Miller Harris L’Air de Rien. They have animalic, leathery notes that give them that dirty, raunchy feel. December 23, 2012 at 6:39am Reply

      • Anat13: Rubj parfum, or the edp? December 23, 2012 at 9:57am Reply

        • Victoria: Both are quite raunchy, but the edp seems especially so. December 26, 2012 at 4:37pm Reply

  • George: Lust by Lush. I went to a presentation by Lush when they relaunched all the neverb2busy2b perfumes, and it was illustrated by a very messy ladettes’ room to emphasise that though a feminine fragrance there is a definite skanky side. December 22, 2012 at 6:41am Reply

  • Chris: I like Angel and Ineke Perfumes Field Notes from Paris. I’m a perfume newbie and have a small budget < $100 for scent.

    I think I like gourmand/spicy scents. I don't like green tea scents or overly floral scents. December 22, 2012 at 6:43am Reply

    • Ferris: Black Orchid by Tom Ford , Red Aoud by Montale ( this is a little bit out of your price range,$110 for 50 ml) but it is a good spicy gourmand type scent. My last suggestion is New Haarlem by Bond No9. This is a great coffee, chocolate, caramel scent that can be had online for well under $100 at fragrancenet with the coupons they always give out. December 22, 2012 at 7:05am Reply

    • Ada: A*Men and its Pure Malt and Pure Havane flankers are pretty good options for gourmand lovers. Also, Hilde Soliani has a line with a lot of gourmand character in it. I would recommend Ciocospessisimo, Vagabondo and Bel Antonio. I hope you find something of your liking. Happy Holidays! December 22, 2012 at 11:29am Reply

    • Chris: Thanks for the suggestions – I’ve found samples online and will give them a try! December 22, 2012 at 10:17pm Reply

  • David: Hello all,

    I hope everybody is enjoying the holiday season!

    I’m looking for a recommendation for a few fragrances that I should sample when I next go shopping. For the past two years or so I’ve been wearing Chanel Bleu. I recently branched out a bit and acquired Tom Ford’s Black Orchid which I must say I’ve been really enjoying quite a lot.

    I’m a late 20s professional in the DC area, in case that matters. My girlfriend and I have equivalent knowledge about fragrances…which is to say we are absolute novices. I’ve been working my way through the 5 and 4 star reviews on this site, which is a tremendous resource by the way, but it is taking me quite a while. I would greatly appreciate it if a couple of you would take the time to type me out a shortlist of recommendations for good, masculine scents.

    Let me know if you have any questions or require any additional information!

    Thank you so much and Happy Holidays!

    David December 22, 2012 at 11:14am Reply

    • Ferris: What notes do you like woody, citrus, fresh, sweet/ gourmands, florals? December 22, 2012 at 2:07pm Reply

      • David: Hello Ferris,

        From your list, I would say that I prefer woody / fresh / florals. Thanks. December 22, 2012 at 2:22pm Reply

    • Ferris: Here’s my list
      Noir de Nior by Tom Ford darker version on Black Orchid.
      Terre d’Hermes edp sweet orange, woody masterpiece by Hermes
      Terre d’Hermes EDT which is a mineral, woodsy scent with grapefruit at the top.
      Fahrenheit Aqua refreshing grapefruit at the top with vetiver and another woodsy note at the base.
      Aqua Di Gio classic spicy, fruity and very masculine.
      New Haarlem by Bond No 9 chocolate, vanilla, coffee and maple syrup goodness.
      Fleur du Male by Jean Paul Gaultier orange blossom, coumarin, vanilla, petitgrain, has monstrous longevity and projection.
      Since you like Chanel de Bleu and Black Orchid, i tried to include in my list something of everything that I would think you’d like.
      Give these a try and see how they work out for you. December 22, 2012 at 2:23pm Reply

    • Ferris: I forgot to mention a few in my list :
      Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford: grapefruit, vetiver, clary sage. Very good
      Lyric Man by Amouage. Best masculine rose scent I have ever smelt. absolutely fantastic.
      If you have to sample just one fragrance off my whole list. This is the one to try. I cannot say enough about it. It is out of this world! December 22, 2012 at 2:34pm Reply

      • David: Thank you so much Ferris!

        I’ll try and get samples for each of them. It looks like I can get them all covered between the perfumed court and lucky scent. The mall may have some as well that I can get for free. 😛

        Lyric man sounds great. I have high hopes based upon your recommendation!

        Cheers. December 23, 2012 at 1:29pm Reply

        • Ferris: You are very welcome David. let us know how it turns out, be it good or bad! December 23, 2012 at 4:18pm Reply

          • David: I’ll be sure to report back. 🙂

            Merry Christmas! December 23, 2012 at 5:11pm Reply

    • Victoria: A comment from Cornelia Blimber for you:

      Hi David!
      Here is my list:
      Fresh: Ô de Lancôme; Eau de Rochas; Déclaration (Cartier); Eau du Coq (Guerlain: fresh with a sharp bite)
      Fresh/fruity: Eau de Fleurs de Cédrat Guerlain; (orange); Fraîcheur Muskissime (Maître Parfumeur et Gantier); Eau de Mûre (Maître Parfumeur etc)
      Woody: Vetiver, guerlain. Racine, Maître Parfumeur;
      woody/leathery,slightly bitter and very good: Colonia Intensa (acqua di Parma). In the same style, excellent, expensive but worth the money: Derby, guerlain .
      leathery, very classy: Antaeus, Chanel
      Minty, soft: fahrenheit 32 (Dior)
      minty, fresh: Roadster (Cartier)
      Flowery: very classy, iris: L’Homme (Dior)
      Flowery: Chant d’Arômes, classified as feminine, is great on a man!
      Enjoy your sniffing, have fun! December 23, 2012 at 6:40am Reply

      • David: Wow, what a fantastic sounding list. I’ve looked up a few already and they all seem fantastic!

        Thank you so much! Will do my best to get samples for as many as possible. 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 5:12pm Reply

  • Raluca: I suggest Penhaligons Amaranthine. To me it smells naughty. Also agree with the recommendation to try Bal A Versaille. December 22, 2012 at 11:57am Reply

  • candy loving: Victoria & fellow Fume-heads !

    i like the smell of Hawaiian Tropic Tanning oil .
    which perfume hits that smell note best between :

    Comptoir Sud Pacifique Aloha Tiare. LaVanilla Coconut, or
    VANILLE MONOI EAU DE PARFUM by LES SENTEURS GOURMANDES ?

    please help ! and, which do YOU like and why ?
    oh, and your’ blog is the best thing i read, i love it !!!

    candy loving December 22, 2012 at 1:48pm Reply

    • Victoria: Aloha Tiare would be my choice. If you want something less sweet, then try Bobbi Brown Beach, which smells like a tanning lotion, but light and fresh. December 23, 2012 at 6:45am Reply

    • Ferris: You may also want to try Fire Island by Bond No 9. I’ve never smelled it but I hear it smells like suntan lotion and sun kissed skin at the beach (European style). December 23, 2012 at 7:00am Reply

  • Eleni: Hello All,
    I am new to perfumes and trying to educate myself, so have been sampling lots lately. I got a 1 ml sample of Tea for Two by L’Artisan and fell in love…only to find out it has been discontinued.
    Any recommendations for a similar fragrances please? Tea For Two to me smells smokey, honeyed and spicy and that’s what I like about it. I don’t get tea that much, but that’s maybe because I’m a newbie. I have tried Bulgari Black, which apparently has a tea note, but the rubber note really put me off. Would Back to Black by Kilian work?
    Many thanks in advance. Happy holidays! December 22, 2012 at 6:12pm Reply

    • LCT: To me, the ones that are in the same ballpark as Tea for Two are Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, Hermes Amber Narguille and by Killian Back to Black. They’re all different but share a dense, spicy, smokey, honeyed, tobacco-y vibe. December 22, 2012 at 7:20pm Reply

    • Victoria: I agree with all of the suggestions below, and I would also add Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb to the list. It’s made for men, but if you like Tea for Two, you can easily wear it. Plus, it’s easy to find. December 23, 2012 at 6:42am Reply

    • Emily: My go-to sub (in feel, not notes) for Tea for Two is CB I Hate Perfume’s 7 Billion Hearts — it’s a vanilla-based perfume by description, but its pure rich smoke and spice to my nose (though not exactly the same). Worth a shot, even though it isn’t “tea” December 23, 2012 at 11:02am Reply

    • Nina Z: Serge Lutens 5 O’Clock is a ginger and tea fragrance, in the same ballpark. But also, if you look around, you may be able to find some Tea for Two. I wouldn’t give up so easily! December 23, 2012 at 11:57am Reply

      • Eleni: Thank you all for your suggestions! I will order samples of those and I’ll keep stalking the web for Tea For Two (no Artisan locally). I wore it today as well and probably my sample will be enough for another couple of days (if I apply sparingly). I so didn’t see this coming – I’m more of a white floral, lily of the valley etc type. Maybe it’s the weather! December 23, 2012 at 3:36pm Reply

        • Tomate Farcie: Did you check eBay for Tea for Two? December 23, 2012 at 4:02pm Reply

          • Eleni: I’m based in Greece so I checked ebay.co.uk as I prefer buying from the EU (no custom issues). I only found sample vials. I’ll have to check ebay.com. December 23, 2012 at 4:24pm Reply

  • Dee: Hi! I’m pretty much a novice when it comes to perfume but my aunt wanted me to find her a nice sandalwood perfume. I’m sort of overwhelmed by all the options. She wanted a perfume that’s reminiscent of sandalwood fans and temples from her childhood. Preferably not too sweet and not too masculine. Thanks for the help! December 23, 2012 at 12:12am Reply

    • Ann-Sofie: Hi Dee, Try Samsara by Guerlain – a sandalwood classic. It is very feminine with lovely florals blending with sandalwood. December 23, 2012 at 5:38am Reply

      • Dee: Thanks for the suggestion! I believe there’s a Guerlain counter in one of the department stores here so I take her there to try it out. December 23, 2012 at 3:53pm Reply

    • Victoria: Dee, I’m going to sound like a broken record with Diptyque Tam Dao, since I just recommended it to someone else in this thread, but I really think that it’s one of the nicest sandalwood fragrances. Unfortunately, most sandalwood today is not the Indian sandalwood that your aunt might associate with fans and temples, but Tam Dao is the best choice from what’s available. There is also Samsara, of course, Tom Ford Sandalwood Blush (but so expensive!) and Hermes Santal Massoia (also very pricey). December 23, 2012 at 7:06am Reply

      • Dee: Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll try to obtain some samples for her to try. Hopeful she will fall in love with one of them. 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 3:56pm Reply

    • Connie L Hill: I just saw your “sandalwood” request. When one has a specific requested top note, I tend to go play at the “Bond” counter.
      They claim to have the best ingredients.
      (Victoria?)
      Either way if you get a knowledgeable sales soul it can be alot of fun! They will mix you up a blend and put it in a little glass vial! December 25, 2012 at 12:41pm Reply

  • Sagar: Hi, am just starting out with perfumes and want your recommendations on new ones to explore (am based in London if that helps).

    My current rotation includes Narciso Rodriguez for Him, Adolfo Domiguez Vetiver, L’eau D’Issey Pour Homme Intense. To this, I’m also going to add this Xmas, Eau Sauvage or Terre de Hermes.

    Am interested in exploring tea (I sometimes spritz on my wife’s L’Occitane tea perfume), some new woody/citrusy scents and possibly, be challenged by something absolutely different (still have to try A* Men, I did like Joop which many find challenging too?) December 23, 2012 at 6:22am Reply

    • Victoria: You should definitely try Bulgari Eau Parfumee au The Vert. It’s a green tea fragrance that has a great presence and is very polished.

      Have you tried Lalique Encre Noire? If you like vetiver, as you seem to, you might find it very interesting. December 23, 2012 at 6:44am Reply

      • Sagar: Thanks Victoria, will definitely look at Bulgari and the Lalique recommendations looks very interesting. Would you have any recommendations from small perfumiers (available in London)? Thanks a lot again December 23, 2012 at 7:31pm Reply

    • Rose D: Ormonde Jayne! I am a girl and I love their masculine range. Personally, I wear Ormonde Man; woody and a bit spicy, not the most expected type of masculine scent. Zizan and Isfarkand are more approchable: classical and well-crafted colognes. December 24, 2012 at 5:34pm Reply

    • Monika: Sagar – perhaps you should try Tea for Two L’artisan Parfumeur. This would meet two of your interests – tea and “something absolutely different” :). Tft is a wonderful comfort scent. I don’t find the smoky note very prominent but some people do. Very black, lightly sweetened, spicy. Ideal for damp weather. December 26, 2012 at 4:31am Reply

      • Monika: I must have done some gigantic scroll down because now I see I haven’t read about half of the comments here. I had no idea of Tea for Two being discontinued. Such a shame! December 27, 2012 at 2:44am Reply

  • Ferris: Is there a scent that is similar to Tom Ford for Men that has better longevity? I have samples of this fragrance and they pale in comparison to what I smelled at the Nordstroms department store recently. The one at the store was lemony fresh then it dried down to a balmy sweet tobacco that was wonderful and lasted for hours on my skin. I’ve read many reviews saying the longevity sucks anyway so when the samples waned on my skin, I wasn’t surprised until I tried it at the store. December 23, 2012 at 8:24am Reply

  • Bela: Just wanted to wish you and your readers a Very Happy Christmas! 🙂 December 23, 2012 at 9:15am Reply

    • Victoria: Happy Christmas, dear J! Wish you and everyone a wonderful holiday season and lots of happiness in the new year. December 23, 2012 at 3:32pm Reply

  • Bilanxa: Can someone recommend yet another tropical white floral with coconut base. I have EL Bronze Goddess. I would like something with the Tiare/Gardenia prominent and coconut in background but not too sweet. Thanks for any and all replies and Happy Holidays! December 23, 2012 at 11:53am Reply

    • hajusuuri: Hello Bilanxa – I am all for layering and since there are Coconut-scented lotions out there, I would use a coconut lotion and layer with Chanel Gardenia. This almost sounds sacrilegeous with a Les Exclusifs but hey, it will get you the smell you are looking for!

      Ormond Jayne Tiare is also super nice…so nice that it superseded OJ Woman as my favorite in that line. December 23, 2012 at 4:06pm Reply

      • Bilanxa: Thanks for the OJ Tiare suggestion. Most of the coconut scented lotions that I’ve tried tend to be too reminescent of a bakery. I am going to try to find the clean fresh scent of “real” coconut. December 23, 2012 at 8:57pm Reply

    • Victoria: I also enjoy Ormonde Jayne Sampaquita–a tropical floral, but it’s green and crisp, not too sweet.

      Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage is another tiare perfume that is fresh and dewy. December 25, 2012 at 2:36pm Reply

    • Ferris: Creed’s Virgin Island water has coconut, some florals, and rum; Bond No 9’s Fire Island has the white florals and skin musks notes which come across as sun kissed skin at the beach with suntan lotion. Both of these have the notes you were looking for, white florals and coconut. You could try layering these two scents and see how it turns out. They sound like they could go great together. If you try this combo please let us know how it turns out, good or bad. Good luck! December 27, 2012 at 7:44am Reply

  • Nemo: My favorites are PdN New York, Chanel Sycomore(haven’t smelled other Les Exclusifs), SL Jeux de Peau(not very familiar with the other frags from SL), Chanel Pour Monsieur, Diptyque Philosykos, and Montale Black Aoud.

    I like Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil, Halston Z-14, L’Artisan Timbuktu, CdG 2 Man, CdG Avignon.

    I want something interesting, something versatile, something special, and something of a private joy. Can you suggest me fragrances for those four seats? December 24, 2012 at 5:04am Reply

    • Victoria: Have you tried Amouage Jubilation 25 (Men’s)? It would be one of my suggestions for your special perfume. It’s a rich woody-ambery blend, but it’s also dry and elegant. December 25, 2012 at 2:38pm Reply

      • Nemo: Thanks Victoria, I’m getting a sample right away. If this works, then that would mean I’m definitely a fan of Duchaufour creations. December 26, 2012 at 5:03am Reply

  • Jaye Branson: Is it too late for someone to suggest a fragrance for me ? I am a newbie and I seem to catch glimpses of things I love but then something comes in that I don’t agree with. I like L’eau J’Adore for work because it’s safe but there something just a touch too sharp in it. kind of like of like Raid used this to cover up its chemicals. Cartier Baiser Voile starts off gorgeous but gets powdery and i don’t like it after a few minutes. There is something fantastic that happens when I sniff the bottle of Hermes Kelly Caleche but once its on it’s harder to find and it gets powdery. can someone suggest something ? I thought I liked citrus and watery fragrances, now I’m not so sure. December 24, 2012 at 10:02am Reply

    • D: You seem to like florals (particularily those called “while flowers) but dislike aldehydes. I also strongly recommend that you try a sample and wear it for a day because you seem to like top notes (that first whiff) but dislike the “base” notes which become prominent later on.

      I would suggest Commes Des Garcons White which starts off with a beautiful lilly of the valley note (often called by the french name of the flower “Muget” and settles into a modern non powdery slighltly peppery base. You can also try Donna Karan’s Gold, which, like Baiser De Voile is designed around the smell of a lily, but the base is deep but not powdery.
      Gold has been discontinued so you might have to buy it without samplling, but you may also find it on the web, at bargain prices worth the risk. White is sold by several web retailers who offer samples at nominal prices (plus shipping).

      Finally, a much more expensive suggestion is try the parfum concentration, which is often less powdery than other concentrations. Several very upper level department stores have these available for discrete sniffs and sprays. December 24, 2012 at 11:17am Reply

    • Jill S: Jaye, you might like Balenciaga or Drole de rose by L’Artisan Parfumee. December 25, 2012 at 12:52pm Reply

    • Victoria: Have you tried any of Hermes Jardin series (Un Jardin en Mediterranee or Jardin sur le Nil)? They have a great combination of citrus, floral and watery notes, and they are really nicely done.

      You might also like crisp green floral notes, so I would recommend Chanel Cristalle (EDP, especially), Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia, Chanel Gardenia. December 25, 2012 at 3:02pm Reply

  • Jill S: Please recommend. I love orange blossom, sandalwood, and am looking for a daytime scent that will make me feel empowered and that i can wear during my 645 am commute. I’m in my late 50’s, a college lit professor. I am trying to make myself appear less of a softie to my students.
    Any ideas? December 24, 2012 at 1:15pm Reply

    • maja: I don’t know how much orange blossom it contains but Bois des Iles is what came to my mind for its wonderful sandalwood. It is empowering and wonderful. 🙂 December 25, 2012 at 9:52am Reply

      • Jill S: Thanks, Maya. I’ll try it! December 25, 2012 at 12:47pm Reply

    • Victoria: Jill, I love orange blossom and sandalwood, and here are a few favorites: Hermes 24 Faubourg is an elegant, refined scent, but it says “I mean business.”

      In a somewhat different register is Hermes Jour d’Hermes, it’s softer, more romantic, but if you are at the Hermes counter, it’s worth sampling (a beautiful, radiant floral).

      Also, I would recommend L’Artisan Parfumeur Seville a l’Aube, which is a darker, richer orange blossom than the others I’ve mentioned, so you have a bit of a spectrum. December 25, 2012 at 2:51pm Reply

      • Jill S: Thanks, Victoria. I appreciate your help. Do you think the ones you suggested would be ok in the early morning? December 25, 2012 at 3:16pm Reply

        • Victoria: Jour d’Hermes and Seville a l’Aube would definitely be ok, because they have very fresh openings. 24 Faubourg is a richer, warmer blend. More of a dayime/evening, rather than an early morning scent for me.

          Oh, you might also enjoy Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier. And it also works in the morning. December 25, 2012 at 3:41pm Reply

          • Jill S: Thanks so much, Victoria. I’ll try them! Merry Xmas, too! December 25, 2012 at 4:21pm Reply

  • Jaye Branson: Thank you so much, D. You put into words what I’ve been trying to figure out. I also fell in love with NR for her, bought a large bottle and after it warmed up on me it was still nice but I wondered where “that beautiful smell” went. Ended up giving it away. Off to find Donna Karan Gold. and to get a sample of Commes de Garcons. thanks ! December 24, 2012 at 1:26pm Reply

  • behemot: Happy Holidays Victoria, Suzanna and al wonderful people here on BdJ! December 24, 2012 at 3:59pm Reply

    • Victoria: Happy holidays to you too, Jola! Hope that you’re enjoying a nice vacation. December 25, 2012 at 2:40pm Reply

  • Connie L Hill: SO enjoying your Blog! I never have time to “play” becuase I run my own business.

    The holidays have provided me with that precious gift, TIME, the BEST!

    I have spent at least an hour reading the amazing info you and your subscribers provide.

    So here goes, the first perfume I can rember choosing as an “adult” I was a tween, was Blue Grass by Eliz. Arden. I this day I still use the deodorant.
    Shalimar, Opium….
    Something, something and then came Molinard d Molinard which I have cried over missing.
    Others are Fracas, my daytime scent and some experiments, Prada, original? amber?, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Jean Paul Gaultier, original? with lady in black dress in the atomiser, so fun and this weird little blue bottle shaped like dice with a gold wax and cork stopper! This thing is easily 20 years old, purchased in NYC and the bottle says, prodotto concentrato per esclusivo uso de profumeria 2 R.E.F – Fl and then lot numbers.
    A challenge! Any body know??!
    Thank you,
    Connie L Hill December 25, 2012 at 12:31pm Reply

    • Victoria: I’m not familiar with that perfume maker, I’m afraid, but if you enjoy tuberose, I can’t fail to mention my favorite–Frederic Malle Carnal Flower. It’s greener, brighter than Fracas, but it’s likewise dramatic. December 25, 2012 at 2:46pm Reply

  • Connie L Hill: Hi new “smelly” friends!

    I forgot, Bond, what does anyone think about their scents and all the mixing?

    CLHill December 25, 2012 at 12:36pm Reply

  • Jane Barber: Happy Christmas Victoria.

    I absolutely love jasmine absolute but it’s so expensive. I really also love Serge Lutens a la nuit (also tried nasamotto’s nuda, bruno acampora’s jasmin, tom ford and bvlgari’s jasmins but they just don’t do it for me like Serge’s).

    I also like Miller Harris’s Noix de Tubéreuse (but not other tubereuse’s i’ve tried eg serge’s or gucci’s flora’s). Can’t say why I like Miller Harris’s – strange but I do.

    Anyway, would be great if you could recommend something for me to try.

    Any perfume’s you’d recommend?? December 25, 2012 at 6:20pm Reply

    • Rose D: For white florals, I would recommend Annick Goutal Songes. It is a big cloud of jasmine and frangipani; but strangely enough, it is not suffocating. Some people even describe it as dry/woody.

      Some less-complex, easier-to-try choices would be Armani Privé Éclat de Jasmin (a jasmine garden with a bit of woods and green freshness) and Nina Ricci L´Air du Temps (slightly spicy white floral). December 25, 2012 at 8:46pm Reply

    • erry: I second AG Songes. For jasmine you might want to try EL Jasmine Moss. December 25, 2012 at 10:50pm Reply

      • Jane Barber: Thanks Rose D and erry – can’t wait to try the Songes. I’m not a huge fan of white floral blends eg lily. Wondering what it is about the Miller Harris Noix de Tubéreuse which I liked – will have to buy it as I can’t remember exactly. Once I know it would be interesting to see if I could find a perfume which is jasmine with a Miller Harris Noix de Tubereuse spin on it? Hhhmm, a tough one. December 26, 2012 at 1:24am Reply

    • Jillie: Hi Jane. This is late, so I hope you see it! I wonder if you would consider Miller Harris’s Jasmin Vert? It is, obviously, jasmine and as it is made by MH it might share the same base and it could be this that you are enjoying. It is my favourite of all the Miller Harris collections (it is – of course! – in the more expensive range) and not only smells of fresh jasmine, but also narcissus and boronia. Lovely. December 29, 2012 at 3:28am Reply

  • Lubaska: Can you recommend me perfume for my niece wedding? I am 50, loving floral and oriental – but preferably in light concentrations as EdT as I suffer migraine very often. December 26, 2012 at 4:33am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: Migraine is terrible; not only that headache, the whole body feels sick. When I have it, the only perfume I can stand is Shalimar; it is calming and comforting. But that’s personal; most people perceive Shalimar as heavy. Soft orientals for you may be Dune (Dior), Cinéma (YstL) , Coco Noir, or, if you can find it, the wonderful Sublime (Patou). As for florals: perhaps a soft rose, like Un Zest de Rose (Parfums de Rosine) or Mille et une Roses (Lancôme). Other soft florals: Après L’Ondée (Guerlain) or En Passant (F.Malle). Maybe you could also use Féminité du Bois (Lutens), very elegant, some fruit in it but not heavy.
      I hope you will not have migraine on the wedding day! December 26, 2012 at 6:43am Reply

    • D: I am not certain an EDT concentration will reduce the migrane problems. I find some EDTS (because they seem to have more top notes) to be more annoying. You might want to consider a really lucious body oil instead. (And of course, minimize all other triggers).
      Geraniums Pour Monsieur is neither light nor oriental but I find it does not trigger migranes.
      You might also want to try an all natural scent. December 27, 2012 at 10:16am Reply

  • Isabelle: Hello Victoria !
    I’m just discovering the world of perfume and starting educating myself – in large part thanks to this blog. I find it wonderfully evocative as well as extremely informative. Bravo for it!
    I’m thinking of putting together nice samples as a belated Christmas gift for my aunt, who confessed she loved perfume but resorted to Roger&Gallet cologne for budget reasons. She said she used to wear Opium, but doesn’t really like it anymore. I gathered she prefers “heavy” florals (“des parfums qui ont du corps – full-bodied perfumes”). She mentionned musc, jasmine and above all, frangipani.
    I thought of SL A la nuit which I tested a few days ago and loved, but other suggestions are more than welcome (especially the frangipani : such a wonderful smell !) December 26, 2012 at 1:21pm Reply

    • Sibylle: Isabelle, try Ormonde Jayne’s Frangipani by all means. It’s truly beautiful!
      Maybe your aunt would also enjoy Tiaré scents? I’d recommend Manoumalia by LesNez or Keiko Mecheri’s Isles Lontaines for a full blast, and Tiarè by Ormonde Jayne for a more subdued scent. December 26, 2012 at 5:42pm Reply

    • Barbara: She might enjoy Coco by Chanel. It’s a spicy floral. December 27, 2012 at 10:42am Reply

    • Isabelle: Thank you for your suggestions. I will take pleasure in vetting these myself ! December 29, 2012 at 2:46pm Reply

  • Arin17: Hello all! i was hoping someone could recommend me a perfume that has the sillage and “white flowers and incense” promise of Chanel 22 — but without the aldehydes, which I can’t stand? Some white floral perfumes I’ve tried in this vein are AG songes (too “humid”), Tocca Florence (pale flowers), Killian beyond love (gorgeous, but too diva-y for me to pull off.)

    thanks very much in advance! December 26, 2012 at 2:17pm Reply

    • nozknoz: I’d suggest that you try L’AP Nuit de Tubereuse and Seville a l’Aube. Happy sniffing! December 26, 2012 at 9:29pm Reply

      • Barbara: +1

        Also, Etat Libre d’Orange Jasmin et Cigarette. December 27, 2012 at 10:43am Reply

  • Jessica: I have fallen in love with Hermes Doblis, of which I was able to get a small sample. It is so exquisite but I fear I may never again be able to even procure a sample. Can anyone help me find something similar?
    What appeals to me is the rich, old world rose with the compliment of the leather and polished wood. It is heavenly. I’m kicking myself for even trying it, because it truly is my favorite scent of everything I’ve tried. December 27, 2012 at 1:17pm Reply

    • Victoria: If you want that kind of old school glamour, then I recommend Madame Rochas (or its more expensive version, Amouage Gold) or Hermes Caleche. They’re quite aldehydic though, and I’m not sure how much you enjoy that champagne fizz effect.

      As for the woody roses, I like Frederic Malle Une Rose or Etat Libre d’Orange Rossy de Palma. They have different characters, but they really make a statement. December 27, 2012 at 5:57pm Reply

      • Jessica: I will try all of those with a prayer in my heart. 🙂 This is such a lovely site, and your writing style is simply gorgeous. Thank you for making such an educational, elegant and enjoyable resource for perfume lovers! December 27, 2012 at 11:01pm Reply

  • Courtney: Im a huge gardenia fan, I have four gardenia scents now and was surprised that my favorite (which is also one people seem to hate…go figure) Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia was discontinued sometime between me buying it last December and now. Any suggestions for great gardenia scents to check out that are similar (as in have a warmer, buttery undertone). I own Estée Lauder Tuberose Gardenia, Marc Jacobs, and Michaal Kors Hollywood (not a fave, but it was a gift). I don’t like Kim K, or Juricy, and regular Michael Kors smells too much like Marc Jacobs. December 29, 2012 at 10:18pm Reply

    • Olga: If you like gardenia then the best I have found is the Soft Gardenia oil from the Fragrance Shoppe in Nantucket. It is identical to an actual gardenia! January 3, 2013 at 4:33am Reply

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